WVOW News
CHARLESTON, WVa A massive data breach last August that compromised sensitive personal information for millions of current, former and prospective T-Mobile customers. The data breach included 68,361 West Virginians along with the 53 million impacted. Information compromised included names, birth dates, driver’s license information and Social Security numbers.
Moreover, a large batch of the stolen information was recently discovered for sale on the dark web. Many individuals subsequently received alerts through various identity theft protection services informing them their information was found online in connection with the T-Mobile breach, confirming that individuals impacted by the breach are at heightened risk for identity theft.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey urges all state residents to take appropriate steps to protect their information from identity theft.
“This situation can be worrisome and frustrating for many people who have used this company,” Morrisey said. “However, our Office encourages consumers to follow up on the ways they can protect their information and see if their information has been compromised.”
The Attorney General offers a few basic tips for consumers to protect their information and identities including:
- Monitor your bank account and credit card statements to detect unauthorized charges.
- Check your credit report for new accounts or creditors you do not recognize. All consumers are entitled to a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
- Consider placing a free credit freeze on your credit report. Identity thieves will not be able to open a new credit account in your name while the freeze is in place. You can place a credit freeze by contacting each of the three major credit bureaus
- Place a fraud alert on your credit report. These free alerts last for a year and make it more difficult for a person to open up a line of credit in your name
If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or file a consumer complaint out online at www.ago.wv.gov
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