OPM Identity Theft Information

Jul 10, 2015
Blog

If you have questions about your data you can call 1-844-777-2743 or 1-844-222-2743.

On Thursday, the Office of Personnel Management announced that Social Security numbers for 21.5 million people were stolen through breaches of agency databases. The majority of those who had their identity compromised are likely to be current and former federal employees, contractors and their families. Individuals affected include 19.7 million individuals who applied for a background investigation as well as 1.8 million non-applicants. The 21.5 million stolen records come in addition to the 4.2 million stolen records of current and former federal employees, which OPM announced this June.

Congressman John Delaney has called this breach unacceptable and has said federal officials need to make clear that they're taking steps to correct the security weakness.

Delaney will host an Identity Theft Forum Thursday July 16 in Germantown with with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Attorney General Brian Frosh. At the forum, attendees will have the chance to talk one-on-one with representatives from various state and federal agencies who can help answer questions on identity fraud. We’ll also hold a panel discussion with the FTC, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the Maryland State Police, and other experts on the best ways to protect yourself. The event is free and open to the public. Information here.

OPM has stated that those impacted by data breaches will be notified within the coming weeks, with the option to receive free identity restoration and victim recovery services.

OPM has issued the following guidance to affected individuals:

  • Monitor financial account statements and immediately report any suspicious or unusual activity to financial institutions.
  • Request a free credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.  Consumers are entitled by law to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® – for a total of three reports every year.  Contact information for the credit bureaus can be found on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website, www.ftc.gov.
  • Review resources provided on the FTC identity theft website, www.identitytheft.gov.  The FTC maintains a variety of consumer publications providing comprehensive information on computer intrusions and identity theft.
  • You may place a fraud alert on your credit file to let creditors know to contact you before opening a new account in your name.  Simply call TransUnion® at 1-800-680-7289 to place this alert.  TransUnion® will then notify the other two credit bureaus on your behalf.

More information is available at https://www.opm.gov/cybersecurity/

Maryland residents who are concerned can also contact the Office of the Maryland Attorney General at 1-888-743-0023.

 

 

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