Security Breaches on the Rise: How UC’s Identity Theft Protection Can Help
Recent data breaches, such as the one announced by National Public Data (NPD) in August, underscore the growing threat of identity theft. Breaches that expose sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers are becoming increasingly common. Given these risks, the University of California (UC) offers a comprehensive identity theft protection program through Experian to help protect its employees, retirees, and their dependent children.
UC covers the cost of this program, which provides a crucial layer of security. Enrollment in the program is automatic, but participants must set up their accounts to fully utilize all of the program’s features to gain the maximum benefit.
If you are a new enrollee, you will receive a welcome email from Experian containing a personalized link to set up your account. If you did not receive the email or can’t find it, contact Experian’s member services team at (855) 797-0052 for a replacement.
If Experian is unable to locate your record of eligibility, employees should contact UCPath, while retirees should contact the Retirement Administration Service Center.
Experian’s Response to the National Public Data Breach
The National Public Data breach is expected to generate approximately 170 million dark web alerts from Experian. This surge could lead to increased call volumes and potentially longer wait times at Experian’s call center.
To mitigate the impact on UC participants, Experian has taken proactive measures, including:
- Enhanced CyberAgent® Dark Web Monitoring Alerts
- Updates to the Experian portal dashboard to help users easily navigate their accounts.
- Increased call center resources
To learn more about the identity theft protection program, visit the UCnet page or refer to the Experian Elite Benefits Plan Guide PDF.
