Social security numbers compromised

Attorney General Drew Edmondson said yesterday the 5,500 Oklahomans whose Social Security numbers were compromised by an Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) data breach should take immediate steps to protect their credit.

“Media reports indicate that the OESC has notified those affected by the data loss, and that’s a good first step,” Edmondson said. “But, it’s important for those impacted to protect themselves from fraud.”

The attorney general said there are a few things people can do to help prevent, or at least minimize, any damage to their financial standing:

• Consider placing an initial fraud alert in your file at all three major credit

reporting bureaus: Equifax: (800) 525-6285; Experian: (888) 397-3742; TransUnion: (800) 680-7289.

• Request a free copy of your credit reports and dispute any errors or unauthorized use. Consumers are entitled to receive a free

credit report every year from all three credit reporting bureaus. Reports may be request by phone at (877) 322-8228, by mail at Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30348-5281 or online at www.annualcreditreport.com. You may want to wait about one month to request the credit report because suspicious activity may not show up right away.

• Notify all financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and credit card companies of the potential for fraud.

• Monitor monthly financial statements closely and dispute any unauthorized charges.

“If you believe your identity has been stolen you should file a report with your local police and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),” Edmondson said. “Having a report on file will more easily allow you to be released from lia-

bility for charges you did not incur.”

According to the FTC, the average victim spends 600 hours and $1,400 repairing the damage wrought by identity theft.

“Identity theft is a growing and expensive problem,” Edmondson said. “Spending a little time now could save lots of time and money later.”

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