MoneyGram hack exposes Social Security and bank accounts: What New Yorkers need to know

Some MoneyGram customers had their data compromised last month, according to the money transfer and financial service company.

"On September 27, 2024, we determined that an unauthorized third party accessed and acquired personal information of certain consumers between September 20 and 22, 2024," the company said in a statement. An investigation into the incident has been launched and is ongoing.

Here's what you should know and how New Yorkers can protect themselves.

What information was released?

According to MoneyGram, the type of information that was accessed depends on the person impacted. Leaked data includes:

• "Limited" social security numbers
• Government identification documents
• Routine contact information, including email, addresses, phone numbers
• Date of Birth
• Bank account numbers
• Utility bills
• Money Gram Plus Rewards
• Transaction information
• Criminal investigation information (like fraud) for "a limited number of consumers"

Marriott data breach settlement: New Yorkers can delete their data stored with hotel chain

What to do if your data was breached

MoneyGram is offering affected U.S. consumers free identity protection and credit monitoring services for two years through Experian. The company also suggests that customers check their bank and credit statements for suspicious activity.

Here are some additional steps you can take, according to technology expert Kim Komando:

• Make a list of your data that was exposed. For more questions about the breach, contact MoneyGram at 833-918-1122, using engagement number B132368.
• Update your PIN and banking login credentials
• Freeze your credit.
• Watch out for any new email or text requests
• Be wary of health-care-related requests

Contributing: USA TODAY

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes . Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: MoneyGram hack exposes Social Security and bank accounts: What New Yorkers need to know