AG: New scams prey on Target customers

New scams are preying on Target customers concerned about the company's recent data breach, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster reported in a news release Monday.

Some consumers have received telephone calls or email messages from people pretending to be from a bank, credit-card company or Target itself in an attempt to gain personal and financial information, the release stated.

Card issuers may contact consumers to verify charges, and Target may send informational email, but none of the companies will ask for private information, the release stated.

Consumers should carry extra forms of payment while traveling in case issuers limit their use of credit cards in response to the data breach, the release stated.

Last week, the company reported up to 40 million credit and debit card accounts may have been affected by a data breach that occurred between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.