Louisiana Residents should do this RIGHT NOW after the OMV data hack!
Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) recently experienced a significant cyberattack that has the potential to impact all individuals holding a state driver’s license.
While there are currently no indications that the attackers have misused or sold the compromised data, it is crucial for everyone to take precautions to ensure the safety of their information.
In this blog post, we will outline the steps recommended by the agency to safeguard your identity and minimize any potential risks.
Freeze and Unfreeze Credit:
To prevent others from opening new accounts and borrowing money using your identity, consider freezing your credit. This can be done for free and does not affect your existing credit cards or bank accounts. You can freeze your credit quickly online or by contacting the three major credit bureaus:
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742; www.experian.com/freeze
- Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
- TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872; www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Additionally, it is recommended to request and review your credit reports from these agencies to identify any suspicious activity.
Change All Your Passwords
As an extra precaution, change the passwords for all your online accounts, including banking, social media, and healthcare portals.
This step is particularly important if you suspect your personal data has been used to access these accounts.
Additionally, using multi-factor authentication whenever possible enhances the security of your accounts.
Protect Your Tax Refund and Returns with the IRS
To prevent unauthorized filing of tax returns or interception of your federal tax refund, did you know that you could obtain an Identity Protection PIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
You can sign up for this PIN at https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin or call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Check Your Social Security Benefits
Individuals eligible for, applying for, or already receiving Social Security benefits, including disability benefits, should consider creating an account on ssa.gov.
Registering for an account helps safeguard your benefits and prevents others from accessing them.
To sign up, visit: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
Report Suspected Identity Theft
If you notice any abnormal activity, particularly concerning your financial information, it is crucial to report it immediately. Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ReportFraud.FTC.gov to report any suspected identity theft.
In case of suspected Social Security fraud, you can contact the Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Alternatively, file a complaint online at oig.ssa.gov.
How to remove your info off the web
Go a quick Google search for your name, your address, and your cell phone number. You will be horrified to see how many websites openly share your information!
If you want that information removed, you can use a service like DeleteMe which goes out and actively scans for your information and gets it removed!
