Dealing with EQUIFAX data breach

The credit freeze is a good idea. It's worked well for us for the past 10 years. Bit of a pain when you  want to apply for a new credit card though -  you have to then go back and temporarily unfreeze the credit. But less of a pain than dealing with identity theft..

probably deserves it's own thread, but while we're on the topic of scams - heads up about the "Virtual Kidnapping" scam. many people are too embarrassed to report to the police when they realize they've been had. I know someone who was scammed - the poor  guy was on the phone for hours thinking that his daugher was a hostage. and yeah, he was suckered out of 6 grand - and he DID go to the police after the fact. it's rampant in our area and L.A. at the moment. 

http://news.sky.com/story/virtual-kidnapping-scam-dupes-dozens-into-payi...

ABSOLUTELY SCARY ! SCREW That Company !

I DO NOT Give Out My SSN Ever Especially Over The Internet !

The credit bureaus used to charge to add a credit freeze to one's account  - unless you can prove identity theft. Due to this breach,  EVERYONE is now entitled to a free credit freeze on their account. 

I Am More Proud Of A Human Who Rakes Leaves Well To   A Human And Their  Freaking Credit Score !

The only way to fix this now is to scrap all affected Social Security numbers and assign new ones. Equifax should be put out of business and made to pay each and every person affected a significant amount of money for the associated stress. Also, anyone who is targeted by the criminals who use this information illegally should have full and complete restitution paid by Equifax. Lastly, the federal government needs to take over the security of the credit reporting agencies. Equifax had a patch in hand for this bug two months before the breach!

They got my data.

It's amazing that the 3 credit agencies had zero oversight over their data. Banks, schools, hospitals, fucking Amazon have more regulations. And the credit agencies have crazy data on each and every one of us.

The credit bureaus used to charge to add a credit freeze to one's account  - unless you can prove identity theft. Due to this breach,  EVERYONE is now entitled to a free credit freeze on their account. <<<

Good to know, thanks.

The hackers probably have my info as I am in the Equifax data base.

we are all in the Equifax data base.. everyone with a credit card, loan or bank account. it's not something we choose to be in, they just collect and compile our credit history without our permission. 

The big 3 are TransUnion, Equifax and  Experian. You need to contact each individually and request a credit freeze. One the freeze is in place, no one can open any account in your name - not even you, until the freeze is lifted. And if someone does try to open an account or check your credit  you are notified. Well, that's how it's supposed to work, anyway. 

Now I can't buy a home!

It surely will not be an atomic bomb that will bring this county to a screeching halt. The press and the government should be held accountable for stressing out the millions over highly unlikely outcomes based in missile myth. Talk about screaming fire in a crowded theatre.  It will be cyber warfare that destroys the status quo of the good ole USA.  It's so much easier, cheaper, and already underway.

Back up your soundboards people!!!

>Now I can't buy a home!

Slacker, have you looked into your City's BMR program? You probably qualify. Around here, the developers are building like crazy and there are a percentage of homes for sale  and also luxury apartment rentals that are offered below market to people with low and moderate incomes. 

I don't know, Trailhead, I really haven't been following the media frenzy over this. I know my data was affected, but I'm not running around freaking. I've taken simple measures to monitor my credit. If something goes fishy, I can quickly freeze things and dispute charges. Short of that, that's about it. 

Identities have been stolen for years, and lives have been ruined. This is just a bigger theft, and of of more sensitive data. But it is what it is, right?

This is a very informative article on freezing your credit and the numbers to call for ach of the credit companies. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/09/13/how-freeze-your-credit-p...

Sen. Warren Introduces Legislation to Save Consumers From 'Equifax Exploitation'

"Companies like Equifax make billions selling access to your data without your consent, then charge you if you want to stop them. It's nuts."

by Jake Johnson

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/09/15/sen-warren-introduces-legis...