I've Been Hacked! - Part 3

Today is our final day covering what to do if your information is compromised in a data breach.  If you've read the first two parts, you already know that the first step is to learn exactly what was stolen, because the proper response to these breaches will vary based on what data was compromised.

In part one, I discussed what to do if your username, password, or other contact data is breached, and in part two, I discussed what to do if your credit card or bank account number is stolen.  Today, we examine the worst scenario:  your social security number has been compromised.

Part Three:  Social Security Number Stolen:

Of all the breaches, this is definitely the worst.  While it is possible to obtain a new social security number, the process is so complicated that it is only advisable if you are having long-term problems with identity theft.  Fortunately, our social security numbers are not connected with nearly as many accounts as our credit cards, so this makes this type of heist more rare.  Unfortunately, this data was compromised by the recent attack on Anthem, so do not assume that your social security number will always remain safe.  If your social security number is compromised, here are some steps to take:

1) Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze - Contact one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax) and place a fraud alert on your account.  They should notify the other bureaus, but it never hurts to notify all three yourself.  The fraud alert will notify potential lenders that you may be the victim of identity theft, and they will take additional precautions before opening any new accounts.

You may also want to consider paying to have a credit freeze placed on your account.  This will stop any account from being opened in your name, whether you want it or not.  Do not place this type of freeze if you know you will be wanting to obtain a loan or opening a new credit card in the future, as you will likely have to pay again to lift the freeze (and then pay a third time to put the freeze back in place, if you still want it).

2) Request a Credit Report - While you are placing your fraud alert or credit freeze, take the time to request a copy of your credit report.  Review it for accurate information and dispute any inaccuracies quickly.

3) Notify Your Bank - Even if your current accounts were not compromised, your bank will want to be extra vigilant with your accounts if your social security number has been compromised.  They may require extra verification before certain events, like a change of address or opening a new account.

4) Keep Your Address - Contact the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service to make sure that they have an accurate address for you, and notify them that your social security number has been compromised.  An identity thief may try to change your address in order to have official documents containing personal information mailed to another address.

5) Beware of Scams - Once again, make sure you don't complicate things further by falling for a scam involving a data breach.  Someone can find out a large amount of information about you by knowing your social security number, so do not trust someone just because of the information they know.

If you know that you have been a victim of identity theft (regardless of whether or not your social security number was involved in a mass breach), then there is one extra step you will want to take:

6) File Reports - If you know that your information has been used to open a new account, file a report with your local police department and the FTC.  This will be necessary as you clean up the mess an identity thief has made.