Target offers Cdn shoppers a year of credit monitoring after security breach

TORONTO - Target Corp. is offering some of its Canadian customers a year of free credit monitoring after a massive security breach at its U.S. stores put confidential details into the hands of thieves.

The retailer says shoppers may have had their personal information stolen and it could be used for various consumer scams.

The breach of Canadian data was announced earlier this week when Target emailed some customers saying it believed their information may have been taken if they visited U.S. Target stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15.

However, the message was sent to at least some Target Canada customers who weren't in the United States over the affected period.

Target says an investigation found the personal information could have included the names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of some Canadians.

The company says Canadian stores were not affected by the theft.

"Because we value you as a guest and your trust is important to us, Target is offering you one year of free credit monitoring," the company said in an email to its customers.

The service is being offered through Atlanta-based credit monitoring agency Equifax.