VIDEO EQUIFAX DATA BREECH: Why You Need To Do This Before Someone Else Does!

breach is one of the worst of all time

ABOVE VIDEO: Learn how to create your own online my Social Security account. You can use it to view a record of your earnings, the Social Security taxes you have paid, and an estimate of your future benefits. You may also be able to request a replacement Social Security card with your account.

The Equifax data breach is one of the worst of all time. Critical information stolen includes Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and some drivers license and credit card numbers.

With so many people impacted, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is advising everyone to take the following steps to protect their Social Security number.

Add security or create your personal my Social Security account now.

A my Social Security account is your gateway to many SSA online services. Creating your account today will take away the risk of someone else trying to create one in your name, even if they obtain your Social Security number.

Follow these instructions to open your account:

• Click here to visit the my Social Security account home page
• Click the green tab that says Sign In or Create an Account
• Click the Create An Account button
• Scroll through the terms of service, click on the I agree to the Terms of Service button
• Click Next

ABOVE VIDEO: CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the steps consumers can take right now to protect themselves.

You will be taken to a Please tell us who you are page. Fill this information out and click Next. (You may add an extra level of security to your account. Select yes or no, maybe later.)

Answer the security questions. These can be tricky, if you get some wrong, your electronic access will be suspended for 24 hours. If your account gets suspended, you can call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for the Help Desk for assistance with your account.)

Select a username and password

Once you’ve completed the previous steps, your account has been created.

If you already have a my Social Security account but haven’t signed in lately, take a moment to log in to take advantage of SSA’s second method to identify you each time you log in. This is in addition to the first layer of security, a username and password. You can choose either your cellphone number or your email address as your second identification method.

Using two ways to identify you when you sign on will help protect your account from unauthorized use and potential identity theft. If you suspect identity theft, report it to the Office of the Inspector General and visit identitytheft.gov.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories