A quick update on cyber monitoring and ID protection services. Since the hacking into the Department of Revenue’s computers last year, the state has provided free credit monitoring through Experian to citizens whose information was compromised. You have probably received emails from Experian, notifying you that their contract will soon end and offering you the option of renewing with Experian at a cost.
WHAT IS THE LATEST? The State recently awarded a contract to CSIdentify Corporation (CSID) for the purpose of continuing credit monitoring/ID protection services to South Carolinians and businesses affected by the October 2012 data breach. CSID’s services provided under the contract will be available to eligible individual taxpayers (including minors and adult dependents) and eligible business taxpayers affected by the Department of Revenue security breach beginning tomorrow — October 24, 2013. Services for enrolled participants will end on October 31, 2014.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? Beginning tomorrow (October 24), you may sign up with CSID for the offered service by doing one of the following:
1. Go to www.scidprotection.com and follow the steps to enroll
or
2. Call (855)-880-2743 to enroll.
DOES MY EXPERIAN SERVICE HAVE TO EXPIRE BEFORE I ENROLL? No – you can enroll beginning October 24 even if your Experian coverage has not expired.
IF I SIGNED UP LAST YEAR WITH EXPERIAN, DO I HAVE TO SIGN UP AGAIN WITH CSID ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 24? Yes — you must sign up again with CSID. The service will not transfer between the two companies.
WHAT SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED? To learn what services CSID will provide, go to www.scidprotection.com
HOW LONG IS THE CONTRACT AND THE COST? The State will pay $8.5 Million for the first year of the CSID contract with the option to renew for four additional one year periods at the state’s sole discretion. You do not have to pay anything to sign up. The Experian contract for the past year was a $12 Million contract.
WHAT IF I PURCHASE MY OWN CREDIT AND/OR IDENTITY PROTECTION? If you choose to purchase your own protection service, you can deduct a portion of that cost from your state income taxes. Talk with your accountant/tax preparer for more information.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF EXPERIAN SENDS ME AN OPTION TO RENEW? The Experian service is good for one year of monitoring from the date that you signed up. Experian began sending out renewal solicitations two weeks ago. These emails may confuse you. You can certainly choose to accept Experian’s offer, but it will be at your expense and the State will not pay for the renewal of the Experian service for you. You may, however, be able to deduct a portion of your costs from your state income taxes. Talk with your accountant/tax preparer or visit www.sctax.org for more information.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions about this issue – or any others – please contact me.
Shane Massey
P.O. Box 551
Edgefield, SC 29824
Email – shanemassey@scsenate.gov
Cell Phone – (803) 480-0419
P.S. Please visit www.senatormassey.com for more posts, news, and video updates. Also, please “friend” me on Facebook www.facebook.com/shanemassey.sc and follow me on Twitter (@shanemassey).