Equifax, one of the largest U.S. consumer credit reporting agencies, recently announced that a data breach took place from mid-May through July 2017 potentially affecting 143 million U.S. consumers. YIKES!
The exposed data includes mostly names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, addresses and some driver’s license numbers. In addition, credit card numbers were accessed for approximately 209,000 U.S. consumers, as well as certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximately 182,000 U.S. consumers.
Equifax has established a dedicated website, Equifax Security 2017, to help you determine if your information has been potentially impacted and to sign up for credit file monitoring and identity theft protection through TrustedID Premier. This includes 3-Bureau credit monitoring of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reports; copies of Equifax credit reports; the ability to lock and unlock Equifax credit reports; identity theft insurance; and Internet scanning for Social Security numbers – all free to U.S. consumers for one year.
The website also provides additional information on steps that you can take to protect your personal information. If you have more questions go here or contact the dedicated call center at 866-447-7559 open every day including weekends from 7AM– 1AM Eastern time.
In addition to the website, Equifax will send direct mail notices to consumers whose credit card numbers or dispute documents with personal identifying information were impacted.
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