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Hacker Swipes 3.6M Social Security numbers, other data
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Today is out of the ordinary for a couple reasons. First, the stock exchanges are closed due to Hurricane Sandy impacting the Northeast. Also, on Friday afternoon Governor Haley announced that S.C. Department of Revenue tax return files had been professionally "hacked". Understandably, many are concerned about personal data including credit card and Social Security numbers being compromised.
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Security Measures The SCDOR set up a phone line (1.888.578.5422) which we understand essentially, passes along a code to use for 1-year free credit monitoring by Experian (one of the major credit reporting agencies). The website is www.protectmyid.com/scdor and the code is SCDOR123. An estimated 75% of the returns filed since 1998 were hacked, so it may be reasonable to assume we may all have been impacted. |
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The hacking occurred in late August but was only discovered earlier this month. While many of us envision hacking as a prank by bored teenagers, it is likely this was professionally done by a foreign entity far away from S.C. It is important
to note that while it may be impossible to totally remove all risks associated with privacy and identity theft, there are reasonable safeguards that can be put into place.
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Additional Protection
The credit monitoring service as mentioned above is one way to reduce risk of identity theft. This, however, is mostly reactive and not proactive. Some may desire even greater protection, and firms such as Lifelock ( www.lifelock.com) provide services that are advertised as proactive. Lifelock costs about $10 / month. |
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J.E. Wilson Advisors, LLC | 2431 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205 | phone 888.799.9203 | fax 803.254.4474
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