As many are aware, the recent cyberattack on National Public Data gave criminals access to a treasure trove of personally identifiable information for a large number of consumers. Consumer names, addresses, and social security numbers were found on the dark web this summer in connection with the data breach. Your data could very well be in that collection.
When news of the breach first blanketed the airwaves, some people chose to freeze their credit. A credit freeze is a free way to lock down your credit and prevent criminals from opening new credit in your name. If you wish to do the same, contact each of the three credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, to do so.
Here’s more on the credit freeze process for each credit bureau:
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/preventing-fraud/security-freeze
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze
https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Also, here’s more information on the data breach:
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/billions-hacked-in-national-public-data-breach
Stay safe.