***Update 10/28/12***: The West Ashley Patch has a good article about what you can do to protect yourself.
***Update 10/26/12, 6:10 pm***: The 877 number on the ProtectMyID website gave us the same exact message.
***Update 10/26/12, 6:08 pm***: I just attempted to call the provided number (The 866 one) and got a recording saying they were experiencing higher than normal call volume and asked me to call back later. The phone then just hung up. Seems they weren’t quite prepared for 3 million+ people calling at once.
***Update 10/26/12, 5:06 pm***: From WSPA:
“The state says anyone who has filed a South Carolina tax return since 1998 should take the following steps:
1. Call 1-866-578-5422 where you will enroll in a consumer protection service. The call center is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
2. Then you will determine if you wish to have an online or US Mail alert mechanism.
3. For the online service, click here. For the US Mail service, you will receive notifications via the US mail.”
So far word has not been overwhelmingly positive of this service. Most people have been complaining of well over 30 minute waits. Apparently, the service then offers you the code you’ll need to use on the website. Seems rather cumbersome…
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If you haven’t seen the news yet, MILLIONS of South Carolinians had their social security numbers stolen. Many also had their credit and/or debit card information stolen as well. The information was taken from the state’s Department of Revenue. Keep any eye on the news over the next few days. The state will be providing a phone number and a website to visit to see if your information has been compromised.
Read all about the story from these sources:
