WASHINGTON (Feb. 1, 2016)—The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has steadily sent out notifications to individuals affected by the data breach that took place last year. In an effort to reach everyone affected, OPM has launched
a website designed to help people check if their personal information has been compromised.
OPM’s Cybersecurity Resource Center requires individuals to submit their information, but won’t instantly be able to tell the user if his or her information has been compromised. Instead, the government will review submissions and respond in two to four weeks with a letter. For those notified, OPM has offered up to three years of intensive credit monitoring with a company that specializes in identity theft protection, fraud resolution and a million dollars in identity theft insurance.
So far only 1.2 million people have signed up for that protection, according to a blog post by acting OPM chief Beth Cobert. “Part of its job, other than verifying for individuals if they were or were not affected, is providing another method to confirm their current contact information,” said OPM press secretary Sam Schumach. In addition to the site, individuals can also call 866-408-4555, to get the investigation process started.