08/24/2024
Social Security data leak: 7 steps to take if you've been affected
Related to the 3 billion SSNs breached:
According to advice from the Social Security Administration (SSA), here are the steps you should take if your personal data has been breached:
1) Visit IdentityTheft.gov. Make make a report and get a recovery plan. You can also call 1-877-438-4338.
2)Visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center. File an online report.
3) Notify one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.
4) Consider adding a credit freeze and/or fraud alert to your credit report.
5) Check your credit report for anything out of the ordinary. (You can get a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com)
6) File a police report. Keep a copy of it for your records in case issues arise in the future.
7) Contact the IRS to prevent others from using your Social Security number to file a tax return to steal your refund. Call 1-800-908-4490 or visit Identity Theft Central.
You can double check if you've been breached by navigating to npd.pentester.com; type in your first name, last name, state, and birth year.