Identity Theft Protection Services for OPM Breach Victims Set to Expire

Ten years after the 2015 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) breach, identity theft protection services for approximately 22 million affected federal employees and their families are expiring. The breach, attributed to Chinese hackers, exposed sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers. Lawmakers are advocating for the RECOVER PII Act to provide lifetime identity protection coverage, citing ongoing threats. The OPM has deemed extending the program too costly, despite low claims in recent years. A government watchdog report indicates OPM may have overpaid for these services, as claims rarely exceed a few thousand dollars. The expiration of services is set for the end of September 2026, prompting urgency among lawmakers and advocates for affected individuals.

Key Points: • Identity theft protection for 22 million OPM breach victims is set to expire in September 2026. • Lawmakers are pushing for legislation to provide lifetime identity protection coverage. • A government watchdog report indicates OPM may have overpaid for identity theft services.