4 ms·
>I am very sympathetic to the employees and past employees who just had their SSN and other vitals leaked onto the internet. What makes it even worse is that t
by downandout 12y ago
>I am very sympathetic to the employees and past employees who just had their SSN and other vitals leaked onto the internet.
What makes it even worse is that the SSA makes it virtually impossible obtain a new SSN. Even showing them that you were a victim in a high profile leak like this, for example, isn't enough. You have to prove actual misuse, such as someone taking a credit card out or being arrested in your name, before they will issue a new one. In almost all cases, police reports are required.
Given that a new SSN is essentially impossible, if I were a victim in this, I would immediately freeze my credit file at all 3 major credit bureaus. In most states this can be done for $0-$10 per bureau. This can cause hassles for instant credit approvals etc, but they provide mechanisms to unfreeze the file temporarily when necessary.
- MatthewMcDonald 12y agoWhy wait until you're a victim? It's much easier to prevent significant damage to your credit history than it is to repair it. The hassle with credit approvals is pretty minimal; people generally know ahead of time when they'll need a credit check, and it only takes ~15 minutes to put a temporary lift in place. Identity theft is often an expensive, massive headache that can take years to fully recover from.
- steven2012 12y agoActual misuse isn't enough. There was the case of a woman whose ssn was used by hundreds of people. I think she eventually was able to get a new number but it took years and it's impossible for anyone else.