On Thursday, July 9, 2015, USA government confirms that hackers, possibly carried from China, swiped Social Security numbers, finger print and all information gathered early this year from background check for clearance.
The Office of Personnel Management released the findings in a statement Thursday on the investigation.
“The team has now concluded with high confidence that sensitive information, including the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of 21.5 million individuals, was stolen from the background investigation databases,”
It is “highly likely” anyone who underwent a background investigation through the agency since 2000 has been affected. There are 21.5 million people mostly includes those who applied for one, but also 1.8 million others, “predominantly spouses or co-habitants of applicants.”
These records include “findings from interviews conducted by background investigators and approximately 1.1 million include fingerprints.”
“Any misuse or further dissemination of the information that was stolen from OPM’s systems.”
OPM has revealed that the types of information in these records include identification details such as Social Security Numbers; residency and educational history; employment history; information about immediate family and other personal and business acquaintances; health, criminal and financial history; and other details. It may also include findings from interviews conducted by background investigators and fingerprints. Usernames and passwords that background investigation applicants used to fill out their background investigation forms were also stolen.”
China has publicly denied involvement in this Hackers stole Social Security numbers.