No one is safe from data breaches and credit report hacks, even the top celebrities and politicians in the U.S. – including those in the White House. That’s the lesson we’ve learned over the past couple years, as hackers have infiltrated some of the most famous people in the world, making their sensitive financial and credit information public.
In one such case, a suspected Russian hacker group released the credit reports of 17 politicians, musicians and celebrities, including their most intimate data like social security numbers, addresses, credit account numbers, and credit scores.
Published on the website “expose.su,” (.SU is a Russian domain signifying “Soviet Union”) an anonymous hacker group went after a short list of famous people in the U.S., exercising some hidden agenda with scary efficiency. For unknown reason, the website, called “The Secret Files,” even featured a quote from the popular Showtime series Dexter, “If you believe that God makes miracles, you have to wonder if Satan has a few up his sleeve.”
As banks, credit bureaus, and even the FBI scrambled to go after the perpetrators and plug the leaks, the hacker group remains unpunished to this point. In fact, that’s typical of data thieves and financial criminals, as fewer than 1 in 1,000 identity thieves are successfully prosecuted.
Here is a snapshot of what The Secret Files revealed. (Please note that we purposely excluded any sensitive data or images of the credit reports out of respect for these data theft victims.)
Jay-Z
We found out that the rap and entertainment mogul owes $227,115 on his American Express Card! While that may not be out of the ordinary for wealthy celebrities who like to run up their Amex Black cards, Jay-Z’s credit report also reveals a cable bill for $892 that’s been turned over to a collections agency. Stop ordering movies and not paying for them, Jay!
The hackers also made his social security number, current address, previous address, and credit report public.
Beyoncé
The singer and celebrity diva found her social security number, phone numbers, current address, previous addresses and credit report public with the hack.
Lady Gaga
The music star’s financial information was exposed by the data hack, though the good news is that most people don’t recognize her real name, Stehani Germanotta. However, true fans now know her address on 70th Street in Manhattan, her social security number, and details of her credit score. By the way, Lady Gaga may be shocking onstage, but she’s positively conservative when it comes to her credit, with a shockingly great 797 Experian score!
Kim Kardashian
The mega celebrity owes $5.85 million on her mortgage, with a whopping monthly payment of $26,679! Kardashian may have 29 years left to pay on her super jumbo loan, but she also got an incredible 3.62% APR with Union Bank.
The hack also revealed her social security number, current address, previous addresses, and entire credit report.
Paris Hilton
While the flakey fashionista who always loves the spotlight may seem irresponsible, Hilton actually has a fantastic 742 credit score!
But the hack also revealed her social security number, phone numbers, current address, previous addresses, and credit report, including a paid off Sallie Mae student loan, a $100k limit Bank of America credit card that is mostly paid off, a satisfied past judgment in Albany, and her paid off Toyota auto loan from years back.
Michelle Obama
While there wasn’t much information released on FLOTUS Michelle Obama, the hack did reveals where she likes to do her clothes shopping, as she used to have Banana Republic and Gap credit cards.
LAPD Chief Charles Beck
The hackers particularly targeted LAPD Chief Charles Beck, taunting him with references to Charles Dorner, the fired police officer turned serial killer who was shot in a standoff with LA police in 2013. Not only did the hackers auto-play a certain song by the rap group NWA called “________ The Police,” they revealed Beck’s social security number, phone numbers, current address, previous address, and credit report.
Oprah
Even Oprah Winfrey, the wealthiest woman in the United States, wasn’t immune from having her credit score hacked. As well as her private financial, the hackers exposed her address on Pearson Street in Chicago, an AMEX account that shows a $40,655 high balance that is now paid off, and nearly $90,000 of debt on three Bank of America credit cards.
Angelina Jolie
The hack revealed Jolie’s social security number, phone numbers, current address, previous address, and credit report, including a $30,000 CITI credit card that is paid off.
Hillary Clinton
Presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wasn’t safe from the credit hackers, as they made her social security number, address, and previous addresses a matter of public record.
Attorney-General Eric Holder
The hack revealed his social security number, current address, previous addresses, and credit report.
Vice President Joe Biden
The hack revealed social security number, current address, previous addresses, and phone number.
Ashton Kutcher
The hack revealed his social security number, phone number, current address, previous addresses, and credit report.
FBI Director Robert Mueller
The hack revealed his social security number, phone number, current address, previous addresses, and credit report.
Mel Gibson
The hack revealed his social security number, phone numbers, current address, previous address, and credit report.
Other celebrities that were exposed by the hackers include Britney Spears, Hulk Hogan, Sarah Palin, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Donald Trump (though his tax returns still remain a mystery.)
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If you have questions about your credit report or want to ensure you’re not another victim of identity theft, contact Blue Water Credit for a free consultation!
