Can anything be done to stop identity/credit theft? It seems like every month there is another breach. Most recently 20+ million social security numbers were hacked from the feds data base.
I've had five issues in the last few years (I'm hoping that my bad luck is over):
-My wife's credit card was hacked in the Target breach.
-My credit card was hacked in the Home Depot breach.
-My debit card was hacked in the Albertsons breach.
-My social security number was hacked from a medical provider.
-My identity was used to purchase products on ebay with Bill me Later.
The three card issues were as easy as getting a new cards (but having to change the # with ebills).
I still don't know what will happen with the hacked SS#. Maybe that's how the ebay thieves opened an account in my name.
The Bill Me Later identity theft took a lot of hours over several months to sort out and I'm still not completely confident that it won't reappear.
I guess I could deal only in cash to eliminate CC hacks. That's tough to do if you are paying people out of the area (mailing checks has its own risks). I place most of the blame on CC companies, and feel that they should be doing more. How do I cover SS# hacks? All of my medical/insurance files use my SS# as does my employer. I wonder if medical/insurance should use a different identifier, but if SS# are already in systems it may be too late. What is the solution to keep us safe(er)?!
Side note: I put a security alert on my credit report for six months, and they recommend that you get a credit report yearly. In order to get a credit report though, you have to give your SS#, and other personal info to the PRIVATE credit reporting agencies. I know they have that info already (criminal if you ask me), but "moving it to the top of the list--new data base" by requesting a report makes me nervous.
I've had five issues in the last few years (I'm hoping that my bad luck is over):
-My wife's credit card was hacked in the Target breach.
-My credit card was hacked in the Home Depot breach.
-My debit card was hacked in the Albertsons breach.
-My social security number was hacked from a medical provider.
-My identity was used to purchase products on ebay with Bill me Later.
The three card issues were as easy as getting a new cards (but having to change the # with ebills).
I still don't know what will happen with the hacked SS#. Maybe that's how the ebay thieves opened an account in my name.
The Bill Me Later identity theft took a lot of hours over several months to sort out and I'm still not completely confident that it won't reappear.
I guess I could deal only in cash to eliminate CC hacks. That's tough to do if you are paying people out of the area (mailing checks has its own risks). I place most of the blame on CC companies, and feel that they should be doing more. How do I cover SS# hacks? All of my medical/insurance files use my SS# as does my employer. I wonder if medical/insurance should use a different identifier, but if SS# are already in systems it may be too late. What is the solution to keep us safe(er)?!
Side note: I put a security alert on my credit report for six months, and they recommend that you get a credit report yearly. In order to get a credit report though, you have to give your SS#, and other personal info to the PRIVATE credit reporting agencies. I know they have that info already (criminal if you ask me), but "moving it to the top of the list--new data base" by requesting a report makes me nervous.