Chicago Woman Falls Victim to Ghost Tapping Scam
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Scam Method Unveiled: In Chicago's Logan Square, a woman was approached by three men soliciting donations, leading to a $5,000 charge on her account, highlighting the prevalence and stealth of ghost tapping scams that necessitate public vigilance.
- Victim's Experience: Although Kostecka eventually recovered her funds, she had to file a police report and engage in multiple communications with Chase Bank, reflecting the complexities faced by victims and the challenges in addressing such fraud with financial institutions.
- Contactless Payment Risks: This scam, known as 'ghost tapping,' exploits contactless payment technology, where fraudsters rush victims through transactions, preventing them from confirming the amount, thus exposing vulnerabilities associated with new payment methods.
- Preventive Measures Recommended: Experts advise using RFID-blocking sleeves for cards, avoiding tap-to-pay in crowded areas, and regularly checking bank statements to promptly identify unauthorized transactions, thereby enhancing personal financial security awareness.
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Analyst Views on TGT
Wall Street analysts forecast TGT stock price to fall
26 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
14 Hold
4 Sell
Hold
Current: 132.640
Low
80.00
Averages
98.83
High
126.00
Current: 132.640
Low
80.00
Averages
98.83
High
126.00
About TGT
Target Corporation is a general merchandise retailer selling products to its guests through its stores and digital channels. The Company offers customers, referred to as guests, differentiated merchandise and everyday essentials at discounted prices. The majority of its stores offer a wide assortment of general merchandise and groceries. Its merchandise categories include apparel and accessories, beauty, food and beverage, hardlines, home furnishings and decor, household essentials, and other merchandise sales. Most of its stores are larger than over 170,000 square feet, offer a variety of general merchandise and a full line of groceries comparable to traditional supermarkets. Its digital channels include merchandise assortment, including many items found in its stores, along with a complementary assortment sold by the Company and third parties through our Target Plus digital marketplace. Its brands include A New Day, All in Motion, Art Class, Auden, Ava & Viv, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Target Corporation Announces 2026 Annual Meeting Voting Results
- Board Election Results: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, all 12 board nominees were elected, with the highest support reaching 99.1%, indicating strong shareholder backing for corporate governance, thereby enhancing management stability and trust.
- Auditor Appointment Approved: Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal 2026 with a 93.5% approval rate, ensuring financial transparency and compliance, which will help boost investor confidence.
- Compensation Proposal Approved: The advisory 'Say on Pay' proposal received 89.0% support from shareholders, reflecting approval of the executive compensation structure, which aids in attracting and retaining key talent.
- Shareholder Proposals Rejected: Three shareholder proposals were not approved, with support rates below 39%, indicating shareholder satisfaction with the current governance structure and operational strategies, which may influence future shareholder proposal activities.
See More
Chicago Woman Falls Victim to Ghost Tapping Scam
- Scam Method Unveiled: In Chicago's Logan Square, a woman was approached by three men soliciting donations, leading to a $5,000 charge on her account, highlighting the prevalence and stealth of ghost tapping scams that necessitate public vigilance.
- Victim's Experience: Although Kostecka eventually recovered her funds, she had to file a police report and engage in multiple communications with Chase Bank, reflecting the complexities faced by victims and the challenges in addressing such fraud with financial institutions.
- Contactless Payment Risks: This scam, known as 'ghost tapping,' exploits contactless payment technology, where fraudsters rush victims through transactions, preventing them from confirming the amount, thus exposing vulnerabilities associated with new payment methods.
- Preventive Measures Recommended: Experts advise using RFID-blocking sleeves for cards, avoiding tap-to-pay in crowded areas, and regularly checking bank statements to promptly identify unauthorized transactions, thereby enhancing personal financial security awareness.
See More
Target Corp. 2026 Annual Meeting Results
- Proposals Rejected: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, shareholders rejected three proposals, including one for an independent Board Chair policy, indicating support for the current governance structure despite calls for increased transparency.
- Board Election Success: All 12 nominees for the board were elected, reflecting shareholder confidence in the company's leadership team, which is crucial for maintaining strategic direction and stability.
- Auditing Firm Appointment: Shareholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026, ensuring continued oversight of financial reporting and enhancing investor confidence in financial transparency.
- Compensation Package Approved: Shareholders approved the executive pay package through the advisory “Say on Pay” vote and endorsed the Amended and Restated 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, aiming to align management incentives with long-term shareholder value and promote sustainable company growth.
See More
Target Shareholders Reject Proposal to Separate Chair and Executive Roles
- Shareholder Vote Outcome: At Friday's annual meeting, Target shareholders rejected a proposal to separate the roles of chair and executive leadership with 38.1% support, an increase from the 29% achieved in a similar measure in 2024, indicating shareholder confidence in the current governance structure.
- Leadership Stability: The outcome allows former CEO Brian Cornell to continue as executive chair, ensuring stability during the leadership transition, which is crucial for maintaining strategic alignment and business continuity.
- Governance Structure Impact: The rejection of the proposal reflects trust in the company's governance framework, potentially influencing future discussions on governance reforms, especially amid market challenges and competitive pressures.
- Future Outlook: With shareholder support for the existing leadership structure, Target is likely to continue focusing on its core business strategies, leveraging a stable leadership team to navigate changes in the retail industry and evolving consumer demands.
See More
Target Corporation Announces 2026 Annual Meeting Voting Results
- Board Election Results: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, all 12 board nominees were elected, with David P. Abney receiving the highest support at 97.5%, indicating shareholder confidence in the company's governance structure.
- Accounting Firm Appointment: Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered accounting firm for fiscal 2026 with a 93.5% approval rate, ensuring financial transparency and compliance, which enhances investor confidence.
- Compensation Proposal Approval: The advisory 'Say on Pay' proposal was approved by 89.0% of shareholders, reflecting their endorsement of the executive compensation policy, which may help attract and retain key talent within the company.
- Long-Term Incentive Plan Revision: Shareholders approved the amended 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan with a 95.0% support rate, aimed at aligning executive interests with those of shareholders, thereby promoting the company's long-term sustainable growth.
See More
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- Consumer Sentiment Improvement: The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index rose to 48.9 in June from a record low of 44.8 in May, indicating cautious optimism among consumers despite being the second-lowest level since the 1970s, reflecting lingering economic concerns.
- Energy Price Impact: A significant drop in oil prices, with U.S. crude down 3.4% to $84.76 per barrel, driven by optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran deal, served as a primary catalyst for the sentiment increase, particularly benefiting middle and lower-income households who are more sensitive to fuel costs.
- Strong Retail Spending: The rise in consumer morale aligns with data showing U.S. retail sales increased in May, driven by e-commerce growth, suggesting that household demand remains robust despite high borrowing costs and uneven inflation, as reported by the National Retail Federation.
- Divergent Stock Performance: Consumer staples stocks like Tyson Foods and Philip Morris saw slight gains, while consumer discretionary stocks faced pressure, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) rising about 0.1% and the consumer discretionary ETF (XLY) slipping 0.7%, indicating varying market confidence across sectors.
See More
Target Corporation Announces 2026 Annual Meeting Voting Results
- Board Election Results: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, all 12 board nominees were elected, with the highest support reaching 99.1%, indicating strong shareholder backing for corporate governance, thereby enhancing management stability and trust.
- Auditor Appointment Approved: Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for fiscal 2026 with a 93.5% approval rate, ensuring financial transparency and compliance, which will help boost investor confidence.
- Compensation Proposal Approved: The advisory 'Say on Pay' proposal received 89.0% support from shareholders, reflecting approval of the executive compensation structure, which aids in attracting and retaining key talent.
- Shareholder Proposals Rejected: Three shareholder proposals were not approved, with support rates below 39%, indicating shareholder satisfaction with the current governance structure and operational strategies, which may influence future shareholder proposal activities.
See More
Chicago Woman Falls Victim to Ghost Tapping Scam
- Scam Method Unveiled: In Chicago's Logan Square, a woman was approached by three men soliciting donations, leading to a $5,000 charge on her account, highlighting the prevalence and stealth of ghost tapping scams that necessitate public vigilance.
- Victim's Experience: Although Kostecka eventually recovered her funds, she had to file a police report and engage in multiple communications with Chase Bank, reflecting the complexities faced by victims and the challenges in addressing such fraud with financial institutions.
- Contactless Payment Risks: This scam, known as 'ghost tapping,' exploits contactless payment technology, where fraudsters rush victims through transactions, preventing them from confirming the amount, thus exposing vulnerabilities associated with new payment methods.
- Preventive Measures Recommended: Experts advise using RFID-blocking sleeves for cards, avoiding tap-to-pay in crowded areas, and regularly checking bank statements to promptly identify unauthorized transactions, thereby enhancing personal financial security awareness.
See More
Target Corp. 2026 Annual Meeting Results
- Proposals Rejected: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, shareholders rejected three proposals, including one for an independent Board Chair policy, indicating support for the current governance structure despite calls for increased transparency.
- Board Election Success: All 12 nominees for the board were elected, reflecting shareholder confidence in the company's leadership team, which is crucial for maintaining strategic direction and stability.
- Auditing Firm Appointment: Shareholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026, ensuring continued oversight of financial reporting and enhancing investor confidence in financial transparency.
- Compensation Package Approved: Shareholders approved the executive pay package through the advisory “Say on Pay” vote and endorsed the Amended and Restated 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan, aiming to align management incentives with long-term shareholder value and promote sustainable company growth.
See More
Target Shareholders Reject Proposal to Separate Chair and Executive Roles
- Shareholder Vote Outcome: At Friday's annual meeting, Target shareholders rejected a proposal to separate the roles of chair and executive leadership with 38.1% support, an increase from the 29% achieved in a similar measure in 2024, indicating shareholder confidence in the current governance structure.
- Leadership Stability: The outcome allows former CEO Brian Cornell to continue as executive chair, ensuring stability during the leadership transition, which is crucial for maintaining strategic alignment and business continuity.
- Governance Structure Impact: The rejection of the proposal reflects trust in the company's governance framework, potentially influencing future discussions on governance reforms, especially amid market challenges and competitive pressures.
- Future Outlook: With shareholder support for the existing leadership structure, Target is likely to continue focusing on its core business strategies, leveraging a stable leadership team to navigate changes in the retail industry and evolving consumer demands.
See More
Target Corporation Announces 2026 Annual Meeting Voting Results
- Board Election Results: At the 2026 Annual Meeting, all 12 board nominees were elected, with David P. Abney receiving the highest support at 97.5%, indicating shareholder confidence in the company's governance structure.
- Accounting Firm Appointment: Shareholders ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered accounting firm for fiscal 2026 with a 93.5% approval rate, ensuring financial transparency and compliance, which enhances investor confidence.
- Compensation Proposal Approval: The advisory 'Say on Pay' proposal was approved by 89.0% of shareholders, reflecting their endorsement of the executive compensation policy, which may help attract and retain key talent within the company.
- Long-Term Incentive Plan Revision: Shareholders approved the amended 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan with a 95.0% support rate, aimed at aligning executive interests with those of shareholders, thereby promoting the company's long-term sustainable growth.
See More
U.S. Consumer Sentiment Rises Amid Energy Price Easing
- Consumer Sentiment Improvement: The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index rose to 48.9 in June from a record low of 44.8 in May, indicating cautious optimism among consumers despite being the second-lowest level since the 1970s, reflecting lingering economic concerns.
- Energy Price Impact: A significant drop in oil prices, with U.S. crude down 3.4% to $84.76 per barrel, driven by optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran deal, served as a primary catalyst for the sentiment increase, particularly benefiting middle and lower-income households who are more sensitive to fuel costs.
- Strong Retail Spending: The rise in consumer morale aligns with data showing U.S. retail sales increased in May, driven by e-commerce growth, suggesting that household demand remains robust despite high borrowing costs and uneven inflation, as reported by the National Retail Federation.
- Divergent Stock Performance: Consumer staples stocks like Tyson Foods and Philip Morris saw slight gains, while consumer discretionary stocks faced pressure, with the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) rising about 0.1% and the consumer discretionary ETF (XLY) slipping 0.7%, indicating varying market confidence across sectors.
See More
