What Should I Do If My Social Security Number Is Leaked Online?
While living in the information technology age has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks including the potential for data breaches online.
If your Social Security number or personal information is ever exposed online due to a hack or another form of theft, you should check your credit reports for discrepancies to see if you have been the target of fraud.
Sadly, the Sony data breach that has been making international headlines exposed 47,000 Social Security numbers, a data security firm told NBC News. The personal numbers, which include some that belong to Hollywood celebrities, were shared online in files posted by hackers.
A group calling itself the “Guardians of Peace” (GOP), with a possible connection to the North Korean government, made the numbers public. The hack also revealed information like salaries, birth dates, email addresses and more, according to NBC News.
Remember, with information like a person’s Social Security number, birthday and email address, scammers can apply for items like credit cards, mortgages and other lines of credit.
Unfortunately, according to NBC News, the Social Security Administration rarely issues replacement numbers after data breaches. However, you can report potential fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338, or file a police report.
You can also issue fraud alerts on your credit reports by contacting Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. When you do this, if a credit card issuer receives an application for a credit line, the lender will be forced to contact you to make sure you are the person who submitted the application.
How Can I Collect Social Security Disability?
While data breaches do occur, it should not stop you from applying for items like Social Security Disability Insurance if you are disabled. Our attorneys represent people who are interested in collecting benefits. These are people who truly need assistance, who are suffering mightily.
It should be noted that to qualify for SSDI, a person suffering from a disability has to show the SSA that his or her condition will last longer than 12 months and could result in death. For more information about the SSDI process, you can speak with our attorneys.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyers
Troutman Touts: There are free applications like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame that allow you to track your credit reports for potential fraud.
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