In the face of 940Million Data Records breached since 2006, Is a year of credit monitoring worth anything?

LTJG Robert M. — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:04:14 -0400

http://www.csoonline.com/article/2900884/data-breach/worst-data-breaches-of-2014.html

Millions of records compromised in these data breaches

We used 1 million records exposed as our floor in creating this list. Starting with a number that big says a lot about the state of data security.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 26 at 2015 12:07 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:07:11 -0400

We as consumers need to monitor our credit reports. We are the front line against Identity Theft. We must be vigilant when it comes to this type of theft. It's sad that we also have to worry about our own children's identity in this day and age.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 26 at 2015 12:16 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:16:06 -0400

This is a question I pondered LTJG Robert M. --- in the last 2 years or so, my data has been exposed 3 times (once by a DHS security clearance contractor, once by my insurance company, and once by Target). Each time I got a letter offering a year of credit monitoring. What is scary about all of these occurrences is that I have no control over them and while credit monitoring is great, I am left wondering what happens if I get "hurt" in one of these breaches. Clearly, the third party is at fault, but I have heard that credit repair is a bitch!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 27 at 2015 8:13 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 27 May 2015 08:13:50 -0400

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/05/26/hackers-stole-personal-information-from-104000-taxpayers-irs-says/?hpid=z5

Hackers stole personal information from 104,000 taxpayers, IRS says

The breach comes on the heels of millions of cases of identify theft plaguing the IRS

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 1:22 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 01:22:20 -0500

I read the credit monitoring for those with breached records is three years. Is this incorrect?