Last year, almost than 4 million South Carolina taxpayers had their social security numbers compromised when the state’s Department of Revenue suffered a data breach. In addition, close to 400,000 credit and debit card numbers were also stolen. Taxpayers who filed returns in the state as far back as 1998 were impacted. Since last year, the Department of Revenue has determined that only tax returns filed electronically were affected by the breach.

Affected customers were given a year of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services from Experian. This type of free service is a common response following a data breach. That year of free credit monitoring service is set to expire later this month, but the state has arranged for an additional year of free service through another company – CSIdentity Corp.

Each taxpayer (and their dependents) and business who filed a tax return in the state of South Carolina between 1998 and 2012 could be eligible for the free credit monitoring services. Affected consumers can sign up through scidprotection.com or by calling 855-880-2743. Those who live outside the state of South Carolina won’t be able to enroll online until after November 4, when they receive a letter with a registration code.

Eligible taxpayers can enroll through October 1, 2014, but the service only lasts through October 31, 2014, regardless of when you signup. Enrolling sooner, rather than later, will give you longer access to complimentary services.

While many companies give a free year of credit monitoring after they’ve suffered a data breach, it’s not often that the complimentary service is extended to two years. It’s important to continue monitoring your credit report if you were a data breach victim. Once an identity thief has your personal identifying information, they can use it at any time, even after the first year.

You don't have to be a data breach victim to get free credit monitoring - at least not for two of your three credit reports. CreditSesame.com and CreditKarma.com offer free (no strings attached) credit monitoring for your Experian and TransUnion credit reports, respectively. Don't forget that you're entitled to a free credit report once a year from all three credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Source: CarolinaLive.com