Surprised this isn't a thread. If you're out of the loop, the short story is your private financial data, including SSN, was accessed from on of the credit reporting agencies.

 

The whole thing is infuriating for many reasons, not the least of which because some of their executives dumped their stock before the breach was disclosed. Spoiler alert: the stock tanked after the announcement.

 

But the thought of having my identity stolen is the most irksome. They're offering a year of fraud protection (with strings attached). That seems relatively toothless. I was part of another institution whose data was breached and they gave us the same thing. It just tells you if someone opens credit in your name after the fact. Great.

 

Besides getting a new SSN, it seems the only real tool is to freeze your credit at all three agencies. This sounds like an incredible hassle and you have to pay for the privilege to do it. But I'm considering it. Anyone done it before?

 

Anything else to add on the mess?

I'm thinking of doing the credit freeze thing. We don't plan on opening any lines of credit in the near future so probably worth the hassle. Both myself and Mr. Cat, according to Equifax's site, were affected by this latest breach. Just checked our credit scores last week and all is well....so far.

I haven't really looked into the freeze option yet. I saw some people talking about how Equifax put some ridiculous terms and conditions involved with checking if you were breached. Essentially if you went to the site and put in your info you were waiving your right to any kind of potential lawsuit. Saw a few people saying they couldn't legally do that so I haven't check to see if I was part of it yet.

With my son's encouragement, I froze mine with all three credit agencies...and opened an account with Zander Identity Theft Protection. The latter won't keep someone from stealing your info, but WILL provide someone to go to all the hassle of "rescuing" you if it should happen.

Yes there is cost involved, but it's worth it to me because the possibilities otherwise are something I wouldn't want to face.

Seems to me the stock dump should be criminal.

I signed up for their 1 year of monitoring. I'm still contemplating the credit freeze thing. We will be getting a new vehicle soon so that will add to the hassle.

I haven't really looked into the freeze option yet. I saw some people talking about how Equifax put some ridiculous terms and conditions involved with checking if you were breached. Essentially if you went to the site and put in your info you were waiving your right to any kind of potential lawsuit. Saw a few people saying they couldn't legally do that so I haven't check to see if I was part of it yet.

 

Looks like they have changed the terms so even if you sign up for their free service you are not waiving anything as was the original case.

Seems to me the stock dump should be criminal.

Darn right it is criminal. The MA Attorney General is looking into insider trading charges, and I hope they make it stick with the help of the feds (Justice Department and SEC) who carry a pretty big stick.

 

 

Equifax data breach: Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey to sue for violating state consumer protection laws - CBS News

 

"Warner is one of 37 senators from both parties who also asked the FTC, the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission to look into possible insider trading. Three Equifax executives sold nearly $2 million in company stock days after the data breach was discovered. Equifax says those officials were not aware of the hack."

The credit freeze is a good idea, even if a hassle. Problem is there is lots of other forms of identity theft. Tax related ID Theft issues alone have become an epidemic in this country. And this breach potentially contained drivers license numbers, SS numbers, addresses, and lots of other personal information.

 

If you have been affected by this breach, you may want to file Form 14039 with the IRS and follow up with them and request an Identity Protection PIN, so that you and only you can file a tax return in the future using your IPPIN that they issue. You can find more information on Internal Revenue Service | An official website of the United States government.

Seems to me the stock dump should be criminal.

 

Should be. Of course, you dump the stock and make millions and I rob the local convenient store of $300 and we'll see who goes to jail first and who serves more time!

The credit freeze is a good idea, even if a hassle. Problem is there is lots of other forms of identity theft. Tax related ID Theft issues alone have become an epidemic in this country. And this breach potentially contained drivers license numbers, SS numbers, addresses, and lots of other personal information.

 

If you have been affected by this breach, you may want to file Form 14039 with the IRS and follow up with them and request an Identity Protection PIN, so that you and only you can file a tax return in the future using your IPPIN that they issue. You can find more information on Internal Revenue Service | An official website of the United States government.

Whats the cost to freeze your credit? And is there a cost to unfreeze.

Whats the cost to freeze your credit? And is there a cost to unfreeze.

I don't know if there is a definitive answer, but this is a pretty good starting point

 

How credit freezes work, what they cost

Whats the cost to freeze your credit? And is there a cost to unfreeze.

 

I think I read in KY it's $10 to freeze and nothing to remove it.

Whats the cost to freeze your credit? And is there a cost to unfreeze.

 

I think that is a service they offer for a fee but if you are affected by this breach, I believe you get it free if you sign up.

Here is the IRS guidelines for anyone who may be a victim of identity theft...

 

Identity Protection | Internal Revenue Service