what steps would you take if the government lost your info.

[crwilson]

Hey everyone, just found out two days ago that the government lost a harddrive that contained info about both my wife and I. We have both paid of our student loans but the personal info is apparently enough to pretty much steal our identity. What steps should I take to protect my wire and I?

heres a link http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/p...rticle/1314050

[am1too]

Keep personal records.

[Big Dave]

Change your Identity.

[plowjockey]

Keep an close eye on your bank accounts and credit reports.

[maddy]

Request a "freeze" of your credit file from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. This will effectively prevent anyone from opening up new credit accounts in your name. You'll be provided a code which you can use to have the freeze temporarily lifted in the event that you need a credit report to be produced (as when applying for a mortgage loan).

[wogglebug]

Phone your local bank branch, and make an appointment to come in and talk to someone about the same question you put in your opening post here. Let them know in advance what it's about, so they can do any research they may need, first. Do a search on "identity theft" for your country, and check for that info on bank, credit union, credit card, other financial institutions, police and government web-sites.
Use the US-specific answers you've seen here as a rough guide to what you need in your own situation, but for you personally they may be different, they may not apply, or there may be additional steps you also need.

[Chucknbob]

Originally Posted by maddy

Request a "freeze" of your credit file from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. This will effectively prevent anyone from opening up new credit accounts in your name. You'll be provided a code which you can use to have the freeze temporarily lifted in the event that you need a credit report to be produced (as when applying for a mortgage loan).

This is what you should do. I had a bank account hacked awhile back, I did this and had the bank swap my acctount #. I've had no problems in the 3 years since.

[BarbadosSheep]

I also agree that you should freeze your accounts. I live in South Carolina and last year every resident of this state had their info stolen from the state's department of revenue. Also it would not be a bad idea to change your bank account numbers and credit card numbers.

[crwilson]

thanks for the information guys, looks like im gonna have to do all the steps you guys suggested what a hastle, thanks gov.

[vanet]

pull all your money out of the bank, convert it to hard assets, and thank God for the good fortune. Maybe you can drop off there records all together.

[Seymour]

500,000 id's were lost, i have a couple buddy's who were "lost". i wouldnt worry about it too too much, just keep an eye on your stuff, changing all your numbers is asking for a screw up. its the governments fault they were lost and 500,000 people are at risk, the harddrive was lost not maliciously stolen. if anyting happened to your stuff the gov would come clean, it would be a p.r. nightmare! anyway i would loose a lot of sleep over it.