ALERT
2024 National Data Breach
Please note that Cathell Tax HAS NOT been breached. Client data remains secure. However...
National Public Data (NPD), a consumer data broker, recently spilled billions of Social Security Numbers, addresses, and phone numbers online. It appears to include the personal data of everyone in the US, UK, and Canada.
More Information About The Breach
https://9to5mac.com/2024/08/20/data-leak-affecting-everyone-even-worse/
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/08/national-public-data-published-its-own-passwords/
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/08/national-public-data-published-its-own-passwords/
To check if your data has been breached
email breaches that may include other info, including where the breach took place:
https://haveibeenpwned.com/
https://haveibeenpwned.com/
How to tell if your online accounts have been hacked
Tech Crunch Article:
https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/26/how-to-tell-if-your-online-accounts-have-been-hacked/
https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/26/how-to-tell-if-your-online-accounts-have-been-hacked/
To check your credit report
See if anyone has used your data to open credit cards or conduct other similar fraudulent activity:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Please note: Usually, you can get one free copy per year from each agency, but as of this update, each one is offering a free report weekly.
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Please note: Usually, you can get one free copy per year from each agency, but as of this update, each one is offering a free report weekly.
To prevent others from using your credit
Freeze all three (3) credit bureaus
To freeze credit reports, you must register with each agency and request a freeze on each one:
Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ or 1-888-298-0045
Experian: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html or 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze or 1-800-916-8800
To freeze credit reports, you must register with each agency and request a freeze on each one:
Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ or 1-888-298-0045
Experian: https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html or 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze or 1-800-916-8800
To prevent others from filing taxes using your SSN
Request an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) from the IRS
Then, no one will be able to file taxes using your SSN without the IP PIN.
The IRS will mail you a different IP PIN every year.
Print, fill out and mail this form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f15227.pdf
or
Set up an IRS ID.me account and apply for an IP PIN online:
https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
Then, no one will be able to file taxes using your SSN without the IP PIN.
The IRS will mail you a different IP PIN every year.
Print, fill out and mail this form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f15227.pdf
or
Set up an IRS ID.me account and apply for an IP PIN online:
https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin
To prevent others from opening a bank account using your data
Put freeze on opening fraudulent bank accounts and related accounts.
https://www.chexsystems.com/ or 1-800-428-9623
https://www.chexsystems.com/ or 1-800-428-9623
To prevent others from opening utility accounts using your data
Utility account freeze via National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange (NCTUE) helps prevent fraudulent accounts being opened for phone service, electric service, cable and satellite service, home security services, etc.
Put a freeze on opening fraudulent utility accounts.
https://www.exchangeservicecenter.com/Freeze/#/ or 1-866-349-5355
Put a freeze on opening fraudulent utility accounts.
https://www.exchangeservicecenter.com/Freeze/#/ or 1-866-349-5355
Other Security Tips
Article: Hack-proof your finances
https://www.salon.com/2024/08/27/hack-proof-your-finances-how-to-protect-your-personal-data-like-a-cybersecurity-expert/
https://www.salon.com/2024/08/27/hack-proof-your-finances-how-to-protect-your-personal-data-like-a-cybersecurity-expert/
Please Be Advised
If you, yourself, wish to take out a new credit card, open a new bank account, establish a new utility account, etc.
you must UNFREEZE the relevant service to do so. However, you may once again re-freeze the service afterwards.
you must UNFREEZE the relevant service to do so. However, you may once again re-freeze the service afterwards.
If Your Identity Is Stolen
You may wish to take the following actions
Place A Fraud Alert On Your Credit Reports
7 Things To Know About Fraud Alerts
https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/identity-theft/articles/-/learn/7-things-to-know-about-fraud-alerts/
https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/identity-theft/articles/-/learn/7-things-to-know-about-fraud-alerts/
Contact the IRS
Fill out an Identity Theft Affidavit
Online: https://www.irs.gov/dmaf/form/14039
PDF: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf
Online: https://www.irs.gov/dmaf/form/14039
PDF: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14039.pdf
Contact the FTC
Contact the FBI
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) https://www.ic3.gov/
Disclaimer: The above information represents our best advice in the capacity of TAX PREPARERS.
The above should NOT be considered all inclusive, nor should it be considered legal advice.
If your data has been breached or your identity has been stolen, contact the authorities and seek legal council.
The above should NOT be considered all inclusive, nor should it be considered legal advice.
If your data has been breached or your identity has been stolen, contact the authorities and seek legal council.
Page Last Updated 08/28/2024
