In 2019 and 2023 I reported to you about two massive data breaches suffered by MGM Resorts which operates twenty-one resort hotels and casinos primarily in Las Vegas, but also in other cities around the country including Springfield, Massachusetts.  Following the data breaches a class action was filed against MGM alleging that it had been negligent in failing to take basic precautions to protect the personal information of their customers and loyalty club members including names, birthdates, addresses and Social Security numbers.

Now the class action has been settled and people eligible to make a claim in the class action are receiving email notices with a unique ID and PIN that can be used to file a claim.  If your Social Security number was exposed you may be eligible to receive a $75 cash payment.  If your passport number or driver’s license was exposed you may be eligible to receive a $50 cash payment.  If your name, address and birth date was exposed you may be eligible to receive a $20 cash payment.  In addition, claimaints are eligible for a year of credit monitoring.  Pretty generous eh? (Just being sarcastic).

Anyone receiving the notice may be a bit skeptical as to whether or not the email and the link contained therein are legitimate.  I suggest you use this link which is legitimate.  file a claim

The deadline for filing a claim is June 3rd.

TIPS

So how do you protect yourself from becoming a victim of data breaches like this.

More than anything, these ransomware attacks and data breaches are another reminder that regardless of how careful we may be protecting our personal information, we are only as secure as the companies with which we do business with the worst security.  About the only way to reduce the risk is to limit the personal information we provide to these companies.  Don’t leave your credit card on file with any company and don’t provide your Social Security number to every company that asks for it unless it is truly required.  Your doctor does not need your Social Security number, but they often ask for it.

It also is important to freeze your credit reports to help protect you when data breaches do occur.  Freezing your credit is something everyone should do.  It is free and easy to do.  In addition, it protects you from someone using your identity to obtain loans or make large purchases even if they have your Social Security number.  If you have not already done so, put a credit freeze on your credit reports at all of the major credit reporting agencies.  Here are links to each of them with instructions about how to get a credit freeze:

Also, if you are in the mood to get scared you can go to the free website haveibeenpawned where you can find out what data breaches have affected you personally.  https://haveibeenpwned.com/

If you are not a subscriber to Scamicide.com and would like to receive free daily emails with the Scam of the day, all you need to do is to go to the bottom of the initial page of http://www.scamicide.com and type in your email address on the tab that states “Sign up for this blog.”