Deadline for Columbus hack dark web monitoring is Monday
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — If you live, work, or have visited the city of Columbus, you may have been impacted by last summer's massive ransomware attack, and time is running out to protect yourself.
Monday is the deadline to sign up for the city's offer of free credit and dark web monitoring.
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The city estimates half a million people are impacted by the ransomware attack that hit Columbus, but only about five percent of that number have signed up for free monitoring from the city.
People's private information was stolen as well as sensitive case details from the Columbus Division of Police and city attorney's databases.
As a result, Columbus began offering free credit monitoring shortly after NBC4 Investigates exposed the extent of the breach. This service includes credit monitoring by all three credit bureaus, identity theft restoration service, identity theft insurance and dark web monitoring for two years.
Through a records request from the city, it was learned Columbus has signed an agreement with Experian for a $45.26 fee for each activation code redeemed. That, combined with other fees, means the city has spent more than $1 million on this service.
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Almost 23,000 people, including children, have enrolled.
Experts also recommend freezing your credit with each of the three credit bureaus.
We have information on how to do that as well as all of our investigation into this attack at www.nbc4i.com/cityhack.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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