It’s the Last Thing You Want a Hacker to Have
By JENNIFER WATERS
December 14, 2014
The rising number of data-security breaches has experts warning that it’s not a matter of if your identity will be stolen, but when.
The Sony Pictures Entertainment breach in late November is a glaring example of how vulnerable we are and how quickly identity-theft crime has mushroomed. Hackers exposed Social Security numbers of more than 47,000 current and former workers, including many Hollywood celebrities, among other pieces of private employment information.
Your Social Security number is an important, if not the most crucial, piece of privacy in your life. You need it to get a job and file tax returns, to open a bank account, get a driver’s license, health insurance, retirement accounts—and to collect Social Security benefits.
If you suspect your number has been compromised, report it at idtheft.gov. You should also contact the Internal Revenue Service, and for tax issues, go to irs.gov and search for “identity protection.” As well, file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, at ic3.gov.