Alert, Equifax Hack: Do this!
Credit agency Equifax announced that it suffered a data breach affecting 143 million U.S. consumers.
The hack exposed names, Social Security numbers, addresses, birth dates, and driver’s license numbers—all critical pieces of information used by identity thieves to impersonate people and conduct fraud.
This is probably the most consequential data breach in history, considering that nearly all U.S. adults have their credit histories on file with Equifax and the other two credit bureaus, Experian and Transunion.
While it’s true that for some time that the public’s personal information has been available for sale in the black market, no data breach as comprehensive as this one has ever occurred.
That’s why it’s critical that you take significant steps to protect themselves—steps that exceed the weak response Equifax is recommending now.
Here’s what you need to do immediately to safeguard your information.
Freeze your credit
If you have not done so already, it is imperative that you freeze your credit immediately at each of the three credit bureaus.
A security freeze, also called a credit freeze, locks your credit file at each bureau with a special PIN that only you know. That PIN must be used in order for anyone to access your credit file, or add new credit in your name.
(Note: As of now, Equifax does not believe that security PINs were accessed by hackers. If you had a security freeze in place at Equifax before the hack your PIN should still be protected. But that could change.)
Credit bureaus rarely emphasize freezing your credit file because it’s not in their best interest, or their clients—banks and other companies that grant credit. Instead, they recommend “credit monitoring,” a largely useless and ineffective service that charges you money to tell you when your open, or unfrozen, credit file has been accessed.
In essence, they tell you that you may have a credit breach problem AFTER the fact, which isn’t protection against identity theft.
A security freeze gives you complete control of your credit file. Unlike credit monitoring or fraud alerts, a security freeze stops an identity theft from happening rather than alerting you to potential fraud after it has happened.
How to do it
To set up a security freeze you must contact all three of the credit bureaus individually. This process can be done online or over the phone. You will be asked some questions to confirm your identity but it only takes a few minutes.
You can freeze your credit by using the following phone numbers and links:
· Equifax: 866-349-5191 Freeze your credit
· Experian: 888-397-3742 Freeze your credit
· Transunion: 888-909-8872 Freeze your credit
Depending on your state, freezing your credit can cost anywhere from $0 to $10 at each bureau. Proven identity theft victims can have this fee waived. (If you need to lift the freeze you will have to pay the same fee.)
To lift your freeze you simply contact the bureau used by the lender and provide your PIN to lift the freeze for a certain period of time. This can be done online or over the phone. It may take a few days for the freeze to be lifted so be sure to do it a few days in advance.
Was I affected?
You can see if you were a victim of Equifax’s hack by visiting their page.
Regardless, take this time to freeze your credit. Given the sheer volume of breaches in the past few years, it is likely your information has already been exposed. Freezing your credit will give you peace of mind and is a crucial step in protecting your identity from hackers.
Extra Steps
You should also change your passwords on everything. Never use the same password for all your online activity.
It is always a good practice to closely check all financial and banking statements for any unusual activity. Hackers will sometimes make a small transaction on a hacked account just to see if it is active before committing more extensive fraud.
File your personal income-tax returns as early as possible. With your name, address and Social Security number, an identity thief can file a return in your name — and get your tax refund from the government. Beat the thieves to the punch by filing early.