OPM Data Breach--Was Your Personal Data Hacked?

[benjicher 26]

A few weeks ago I got a notice in the mail that my data had been compromised in the Chinese hack of OPM data: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/12/16/federal-data-breach-notices-are-catching-some-by-surprise/

We applied for an immigrant visa in January 2014; my data was certainly in the system because of my petition.

I'm wondering if others have received the notice for the sponsor AND if anyone has received or heard anything about the immigrant's data being compromised.

[mlucasva 1]

As a DoD employee, my understanding is that the breach only involved the system used for security clearances. The recent notices were actually being sent to those who were on someone else's clearance application. Basically, if your SSN was on someone else's SF86 then you now get this letter and are eligible for credit monitoring. This reversed a previous decision to only cover the applicants themselves. So long story made short, I believe (but as always, could be wrong) this is more likely because your data was on someone else's application for a clearance and not because of your immigrant visa application.

[NikLR 13,227]

My husband received the info but he works for the FAA and is utilizing the credit monitoring. It had nothing to do with our immigration but rather, as stated, because of his security clearance.

[benjicher 26]

How would I know if I was on someone other than my spouse's clearance application?

As a DoD employee, my understanding is that the breach only involved the system used for security clearances. The recent notices were actually being sent to those who were on someone else's clearance application. Basically, if your SSN was on someone else's SF86 then you now get this letter and are eligible for credit monitoring. This reversed a previous decision to only cover the applicants themselves. So long story made short, I believe (but as always, could be wrong) this is more likely because your data was on someone else's application for a clearance and not because of your immigrant visa application.

[teanet 20]

How would I know if I was on someone other than my spouse's clearance application?

i dont think you can find out unless the investigator will contact you with questions about the person who is getting clearance.