Ask Terry Questions USPS cyber attack

USPS cyber attack

By Terry Savage on December 21, 2014 | Wild Card

Hi Terry, I work for the postal service, which was recently a victim of cyber attack. They sent me a letter telling me that my personal info may be compromised. I was injured on the job a couple yrs. ago, and they said my medical info may be compromised. Basically, codes concerning diagnosis and procedures, medical, anatomical location, nature of my injury. The USPS has offered free for one year, Equifax Credit Monitoring, which I have. Should I be concerned or take any action on this? I love listening to you on WGN when I can! Thank you, Debbie

Terry Says:  Unfortunately, this is happening all too often.  Yes, accept the free credit monitoring service.  When it expires, you might want to place a credit FREEZE on your account, which means no one can open new credit in your name.  (Don’t do this if you’re applying for a mortgage or car loan or life insurance, as all require a credit check.)   But what seems to have been exposed here is not financial information, but medical information.   Thieves can’t make much use of this — except if your insurance information is also included.  In that case, please contact your medical insurance provider and tell them to be on the lookout for fraudulent use of your policy — but that is highly unlikely.

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