The repercussions of the Equifax security breach continue to make the news. As you know, the credit reporting company was hacked, and those hackers may have accessed some of the most sensitive financial data of over 145 million Americans.
According to recent updates, names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and addresses were stolen. A much smaller number of driver’s license numbers and credit card numbers were taken.
It is important to us that you know your options to help protect yourself from identify theft. If you have not done so already, there are a few steps that you may want to consider.
- Review your credit report for anomalies. To request a copy of your credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Evaluate placing a fraud alert. A free fraud alert means that a business must verify your identity before it issues credit. More information is available here: www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0275-place-fraud-alert.
- Consider a credit or security freeze. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report for a small charge. You will need to weigh the pros and cons, first, and this involves a number of steps. For more details, see www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0497-credit-freeze-faqs.
The New York Times has been regularly updating an article with frequently asked questions that includes links to helpful websites and phone numbers to call.
We are always here to help. For questions and concerns about how to protect your family and your estate, please contact us.