Equifax Data Breach
Below you will find information and resources to help you understand the Equifax Data Breach and what you can do to help protect yourself from identity theft.
What Happened?
According to Equifax, the company’s database was breached through a vulnerability on its website, exposing the personal information of an estimated 143 million people.
What information was accessed?
Hackers were able to acquire names, social security number, birth dates, home addresses and some drivers’ license information.
In addition, credit card numbers for an estimated 209,000 consumers and certain dispute documents, which included personal identifying information, for approximately 182,000 consumers were accessed, according to the company.
Should I be worried about identity theft?
The FTC outlines some of the major signs of identity theft, including:
- Unexplained withdrawals from your bank accounts
- You stop getting mail or bills (implying your address has been changed)
- Debt collectors call about debts you don’t recognize
- Your medical records don’t match with your history
If you would like more information on identity theft, please click here.
What can you do to protect your credit and identity?
Periodically contact the major credit reporting agencies to get and review your file to make sure your information is correct. IN addition, you can request a free annual credit report from each of the 3 national credit reporting agencies, whether or not you suspect any unauthorized activity on your account by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or calling 1-877-FACTACT (1-877-322-8228). Or you can request a report by directly contacting each of the agencies below. They can also tell you about setting up fraud alerts and security freezes:
- Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
