A.G. Warns Of I.D. Theft After Data Breach

JACKSON, Miss. (Press Release) — The Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division has recently received numerous calls regarding a recent data breach reported by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) potentially affecting more than 21 million people nationwide whose personal information was stolen in a cyber-breach of government security-clearance files, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

The breach of personnel files involved personal and career information on 4.2 million current and former federal employees. The security-clearance breach involved 21.5 million people who applied for security clearances or had them renewed since about 2000, and in some cases before. Of that larger group, about 3.6 million are current or former federal employees. Most of the rest are current or former military or contractor personnel. About 1.8 million were not applicants but were identified in another person’s application. Beyond basic identifying information, the breach included highly personal information on applicants, such as past financial or legal troubles, as well as the fingerprints of about 5.6 million people.

“Data breaches and identity theft continue to cause significant harm to consumers, and full-scale identity theft involving the use of just a Social Security number can cost a consumer $5,100 on average,” said Attorney General Hood. “I am a victim of this hack, too, and I intend to check my credit regularly for at least a decade.”

As a result of the data breach, the OPM is providing identity theft protection and monitoring services to those who were affected and any of their dependent children who were under the age of 18 as of July 1, 2015. Services include credit and identity monitoring, identity theft insurance, and identity theft restoration for the next three years through ID Experts, a company that specializes in identity theft protection. The services are to last through 2016 in the personnel files case and through 2018 in the clearance files case.

The OPM sent out notices to those whose data was stolen. Consumers should verify with the OPM before taking advantage of the free credit monitoring offered. The OPM and ID Experts will not contact consumers to confirm any personal information and advises consumers not to provide their personal information in relation to this incident. The OPM is only contacting consumers by mail; so if an email from the OPM is received instead, then it is likely fraudulent.

“We appreciate the OPM for taking action and providing the sufficient tools and services to help consumers who have fallen victim to this scam,” said Attorney General Hood.  “Since 2005, nearly 5,000 data breaches have compromised more than 815 million records containing sensitive information about consumers,including their financial account information, Social Security numbers or medical information. The numbers continue to escalate in 2015. Consumers are entitled to check their credit annually at no cost, and regular monitoring is one of the most important ways to protect your credit.”

The OPM has set up a website and phone line for those who believe they should have received a notice but haven’t. Consumers can call 800-750-3004 or visit www.opm.gov/cybersecurity. Consumers can contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-281-4418 if they have a problem with the current number provided by the OPM. Those who did not receive a letter, but think they may have been impacted, can call 1-866-408-4555.

Anyone who suspects they have been a victim of identity theft or any other scam should contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-281-4418 or visit www.agjimhood.com