NPD Data Breach

[Natsinpwc]

Probably a good idea to freeze your credit if not already done.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2024/08/17/social-security-hack-national-public-data-confirms/74843810007/

Also the SSA website now requires login with a LOGIN.GOV account and password rather than a unique SSA login.

[1995hoo]

Perhaps also not a bad idea to request an IRS identity protection PIN to prevent someone from filing a false tax return in your name. They issue a new PIN every year and you have to enter it into the software when you e-file your taxes.

Supposedly the multi-factor authentication app the IRS uses, ID.me, will also work with Social Security, though I have not used it for that purpose yet and I don't know how it overlaps with login.gov.

[HalfSmokes]

Perhaps also not a bad idea to request an IRS identity protection PIN to prevent someone from filing a false tax return in your name. They issue a new PIN every year and you have to enter it into the software when you e-file your taxes.

Supposedly the multi-factor authentication app the IRS uses, ID.me, will also work with Social Security, though I have not used it for that purpose yet and I don't know how it overlaps with login.gov.

I logged into social security with ID me this morning to see if it still worked. I think it also works for TSA pre

[Natsinpwc]

So is ID.ME the same as LOGIN.GOV?

[HalfSmokes]

So is ID.ME the same as LOGIN.GOV?

I don't think so. It's a third party contractor accepted by several agencies.

[imref]

Good advice on locking credit reports. I did that a few years ago. It is very easy to unlock for a short term when necessary.

I believe the three credit agencies now also allow you to put free fraud protection on your reports that will notify you when they are pulled. I'm not sure if they have other features such as requiring approval. I need to look more closely at it.

[Natsinpwc]

As usual the answer is there on the web.

https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/security.html#:~:text=You%20can%20now%20create%20your,account%20if%20you%20have%20one.