Equifax Breach Alert

Posted in Announcements

National Cyber Security Alliance Responds to Equifax Breach

updated 9/12/17

Credit freeze: What is it and should you do it?

 updated 9/11/2017

Equifax announced a major data breach yesterday affecting some 143 million Americans’ personal information, as well as limited data for certain UK and Canadian residents. According to the company, the data breach left Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and other sensitive information at risk sometime between mid-May and July of this summer.

Fortunately, Equifax is reporting no evidence of unauthorized access to core consumer or commercial credit reporting databases at this time. Nevertheless, NCSA urges all Equifax users to take action now to secure their accounts.

Equifax is offering complimentary identity theft protection and credit file monitoring. Information can be found at equifaxsecurity2017.com. (UIS Editorial Note: this site prompts you to enter more personal data, so use at your own risk)  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 also is in the process of contacting U.S. state and federal regulators and has sent written notifications to all U.S. state attorneys general, which includes Equifax contact information for regulator inquiries.

It is also recommended that consumers monitor their personal information and visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website, to obtain information about steps they can take to better protect against identity theft as well as information about fraud alerts and security freezes (and associated state fees, where applicable).