Finance Blog
Identity Theft: Dealing With A Data Breach
What to Do If You Are the Victim of a Data Breach
Equifax Credit Team
If you are a victim of a data breach, it does not necessarily mean that you are or will become a victim of identity theft. However, Equifax recommends that you take the following four steps as soon as possible to protect your personal information from misuse.
1. Place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports. Fraud alerts protect against new account fraud and require the credit grantor to take extra steps to verify your identity.
The basics of fraud alerts and security freezes:
- When you request a fraud alert with Equifax, it is reported to the other two credit reporting agencies.
- Fraud alerts are free.
- Alerts can be placed online, by phone, or by mail.
- Security freezes protect against new account fraud and prevent your credit report from being reported to third parties, such as credit grantors, except those permitted by law or those to which you have given permission.
- Security freeze fees vary by state; they are not free.
- Only you can request a security freeze be placed, temporarily lifted, or permanently removed.
2. Close accounts. Contact the appropriate creditors, banks, phone companies, and utility companies to close any accounts associated with the breached company, as well as any accounts that you know have or believe have been compromised or opened fraudulently.
3. Monitor your credit report. Credit monitoring enables you to watch your credit account activity and protect your identity during a period of time when you may be more vulnerable to identity theft. Some breached organizations offer free credit monitoring services to affected consumers for a limited time; if you receive a letter that offers free monitoring, take advantage of it before the offer expires.
Monitoring products typically charge a monthly fee and include these core product features:
- Three-bureau credit report monitoring
- Identity theft insurance
- Alerts of key changes to your credit file
Consumers can also obtain a free annual credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com.
4. Stay alert. Identity thieves may not use your personal information right away—sometimes they can take up to a year or more. To stay on top of the situation, continue to monitor your credit reports regularly, and read your financial account statements promptly and carefully.
Watch for signs of identity theft like:
- Failing to receive monthly bills or other mail
- Being denied credit or offered less favorable terms (such as a high interest rate)
- Receiving calls or letters from debt collectors for accounts you did not open
READ MORE:
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Ironically, I found this blog post because I searched for “equifax email breach.” I just received a spam e-mail at an address I only used for Equifax. So, it appears that either Equifax, or someone you have trusted with one of your databases, has been a victim also. I just hope it was only my e-mail address that was leaked, since you have MUCH more information about me than that, including my social security number.
Dan:
Thanks for your comment. We’ll make sure the proper folks at Equifax take a closer look.
I’m glad you checked out the blog and hope you’ll come back.
Yesterday I was notified that I have become a victim of credit card fraud and identity theft. I made a police report and notified all the card issuers. I also put a fraud alert out for 90 days. It seems that Equifax and TransUnion received false information that changed my first name on my social security card and now they have no record of me. What a nightmare I’m having trying to contact them by phone….No longer do you get to speak with a real person, everything is a recording and you get prompted for numbers that you don’t have…. No luck contacting Equifax and after ten (10) tries finally spoke with a real person at TransUnion … Even with this real person, no luck making him understand…..I just don’t understand have they can change you name via the computer or on the phone, however they can’t help you even after you jump thru all the hoops. Can anyone help me.cactus2@comcast.net.
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If I cannot see the EIS credit files of the 45 other people using my SSN but their names could you please at least stop letting them open lines of credit??
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Funny. 90% of my spam comes through the email alias never used for anyone *except* equifax. Leading by example?
And, it looks, like I’m not alone: http://www.aarongifford.com/article/equifax-security-breach-i-e-equifax-leaked-my-private-information-