Equifax, the credit reporting company, just experienced the most severe data breach in history. This breach exposed sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and addresses, of up to 143 million Americans. This is the most severe breach in history because for the first time it includes birthdates, Social Security numbers, as well as Driver’s License numbers. Now, anyone with this information can ruin your entire credit history because they have all of the necessary information to do so.
And Equifax’s response to this breach made matters worse…
Equifax published a web page full of vulnerabilities, so consumers could check to see if their information was compromised. The site even asks consumers to put in six digits of their Social Security number.
Recommendations:
- Do not enter your sensitive information on the Equifax site
- Contact the three credit bureaus and put a ‘freeze’ on your credit
A freeze means that no one (including you) can access your credit file until you unfreeze it, using a PIN or passphrase. A freeze makes it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. To be most effective, you should place a freeze with all three credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Experian:
888-397-3742
Equifax:
800-349-9960
TransUnion:
888-909-8872
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