Equifax Cybersecurity Breach

As you may have already seen in the news, Equifax, one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the US, announced a cybersecurity breach potentially impacting 143 million US consumers.

Based on Equifax’s investigation, criminals gained unauthorized access to their system from mid-May through July 2017. The information accessed primarily includes names, Social Security Numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers.

In addition, credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 US consumers, and certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximately 182,000 US consumers, were accessed.

Equifax has established a dedicated website, www.equifaxsecurity2017.com, to help consumers determine if their information may have been impacted and to sign up for free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection.

What Consumers Can Do

To determine if your information may have been compromised, and to enroll in the free monitoring service, please follow the steps below:

  • Go to www.equifaxsecurity2017.com and click “Potential Impact” then click “Check Potential Impact.”
  • Provide your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number.
  • The site will then inform you if you were or were not impacted by the breach. It will then give you a date to return to the site to enroll in the free monitoring service.
  • Be aware you are not entering your contact information so you will not receive a notice to return to the site to enroll. Consumers must remember to return to the site to activate this service. Consumers have until November 21, 2017 to enroll.

The monitoring service being offered, called TrustedID Premier, includes 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 complimentary for one year.

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.

Equifax recommends that consumers with additional questions visit www.equifaxsecurity2017.com or contact their dedicated call center at 866-447-7559. The call center is open every day (including weekends) from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. EST.

Identity Theft Prevention Tips

It is always important, but especially after incidents like this, to remain vigilant for incidents of fraud and identity theft by:

  • Regularly reviewing your account statements and online transaction listings for any fraudulent charges or activity.
  • Making sure your financial institution(s) have correct and up-to-date contact information, including phone numbers, mailing addresses and email addresses, so they can reach you in the event any fraudulent activity is detected on your account(s).
  • Monitoring your credit reports. Consumers may obtain a free copy of their credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once every 12 months by requesting a report online at www.annualcreditreport.com or calling 1-877-322-8228.

If you have any questions regarding Equifax's security breach, please visit www.equifaxsecurity2017.com or contact Equifax's dedicated call center at 866-447-7559.