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We all get notified on near regular basis on the compromised data but these numbers are staggering. Clark has some common sense advice on how best to play defense.
I would add freezing your SSN via the e-verify site (so your SSN can’t be misused), and I think this is especially true for those of us who are retired.
I did some research on locking a SSN. E-verify seems limited to preventing someone from using my SSN to get a job. A SSA lock prevents someone from accessing my SS benefits which seems more important. However, SSA requires an office visit to unlock my SSN. That would be very inconvenient.
Conversely, e-verify’s unlock is online.
It would seem that SSA should provide a secure means of unlocking my SSN online. This is an important safeguard but has a very inconvenient means of unlocking.
I have been saying for years that the only way the data breaches are going to be significantly reduced is if congress passes a law which imposes significant financial penalties, and maybe short jail sentences if gross negligence is found. I currently have three free identity monitors due to breaches, it seems the companies provide this service and just move on.
The jail sentence should be for the CEO, not some obscure underling.
And activate freeze on https://www.chexsystems.com/ as well (so no bank accounts can be opened on your name)
Excellent point. This is often overlooked in protective recommendations.