Last month I got a message from AT&T telling me they had been hacked. The hack gathered information from quite a few years back. What information? They didn't say. They just said I should change my password and they will provide credit monitoring for a year. I hadn't done anything about it yet as I have changed passwords semi-regularly.
Then I got a message from Malwarebytes about the AT&T hack. They gave me a link that would search the dark web to see what was out there. Well, guess what! There was my social security number on the AT&T hack. (https://www.malwarebytes.com/digital-footprint)
So now I have to do something. AT&T said I should call the Social Security office. I called them and got their voicemail tree with no good option for what I wanted, to ask about my stolen SS number. Representative! Representative! Representative! Representative! Representative!
Representative said no don't call us, call the FTC (Federal Trade Commission).
So I called the FTC. Representative! Representative! Representative! Representative! Representative!
Not us, call a credit bureau.
I decided to start with Experian... Sign in... I don't have an account so let's start one. Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question Question. Trick question Trick question Trick question Trick question. We're sending you a code to your email. I'm in! And another login and password to remember.
Experians website said if I blocked my SSN they would upload the block to the other two credit bureaus. Do I trust them? Nope. I haven't set up the logins for the other two yet, but I'm sure it will be just as much fun. And I got a few of their services but if I want the deluxe package, send money, every year.
Then I wondered about the link AT&T sent me for Experian. I used it and guess what, the deluxe package, for one year. Then I'm on my own.
I think I got most of this story right, but I'm not swearing to it.
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13 comments:
I don't even know what AT&T is so I wasn't at all worried when Malwarebytes left me a message about the hacking. I just deleted it since I am not with that company.
River - You should still run the URL just to see what's on the dark web about you.
My name, my address and my date of birth are up.
I hope that your data (and mine) doesn't get used.
Overwhelming! I have monitoring with GEICO. They monitor items I add and provide recovery services if needed. Now let's talk about title theft and other nightmares!
I ran the two e-mail addresses I usually use. Most of the info that turned up was wildly inaccurate, but a few items were of concern. Thanks for posting the link.
Yikes! I haven't checked on my personal info lately. Thanks for the reminder.
Well, the only things Malwarebyes found were my DOB and some very obsolete passwords. I'm now using a password manager, which assigns a very long, unique series of letters/numbers/symbols to each account.
I had to put a freeze on my credit reports due to losing a credit card. I thought that was bad. So sorry Mike!
Yikes! I too received notice some time ago that I'm on the dark web. As far as I can tell, it's just my email address but I'm going to look into that blocking SS number.
Sure the AT&T message itself wasn't part of the hack?
Cloudia - Thanks for the reminder. St. Louis County has a title theft company they work with that I can sign up for for free. I was waiting to see if any problems with that company showed up. So far not, so I should get off my rear quarters and get signed up.
Kathy - I haven't tried a password manager yet. I'm still leary. I don't know why.
Peg - It's not good to know your SSN is floating around the dark web.
Shirley - It's a pain but it's probably past time to do it.
Kirk - I got a letter in the mail, and a notification from Malware Bites, and it was on the news. There was also a news item about a big hack of United Health Care on TV.
Thanks for the link
1 old password exposed
No AT&T breach
Shows our old address from more than 4 yrs ago
John - Lucky you. I wish!
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