Off-Topic OT Equifax break in

[carly]

I refuse to give anyone the last 6 digits of my SSN (4 digits is ok). Prior to 2011 the first 3 digits represented the geographical area where the SSN was originally issued. Most states have only 2 to 8 options. So if I give out the 6 digits and the person also knows I am from let's say Maine - there are only 3 options available for the first 3 digits. While I know Equifax already has this info..I don't like that they are asking me to print it again over the Internet.

[Pat58]

I tried going through the steps on annualcreditreport.com and got nowhere. Equifax and Experian could not return a report on me so I did not bother with the last one. Both attempts ended up in a suggestion to complete a detailed form and mail them copies of my mortgage, driver's license, SS card, etc. Yeah, right. I have a friend who had her identity stolen by a postal worker!

I'm going to my bank and talk to a manager there and also making an EAP appointment to have a free consult with a financial advisor.

[Carol K]

That's bizarre. I used to run all three reports on annualcreditreport.com every year.

[Helen S]

Originally Posted by Carol K

That's bizarre. I used to run all three reports on annualcreditreport.com every year.

Me too. I was going to do this again since I haven't done it since for awhile. I used to do what somebody suggested where you take turns doing a report from one of them every four months.

[Carol K]

That's what I used to do, but now I can get less-detailed credit reports from all the companies where I have a bank account or credit card, so I haven't been doing it lately.

[cyana]

The best advice I've heard to date is to act as though you were affected even if you aren't sure and make sure you have freezes put on your credit with the credit reporting agencies so no one can open new/fraudulent accounts in your name. It is a minor annoyance when you need to unfreeze to open a new account (I've done it and it really wasn't a big deal), but far less hassle than the thousands of hours it would take to deal with proving you didn't open those fraudulent accounts.

[JustSandra]

I got copies of all three of my credit reports from annualcreditreport.com today. Equifax was slower than the other two agencies, but it worked. Luckily I saw no surprises. Although I was likely not affected by the breach according to Equifax, I still plan to freeze my accounts anyway as a precaution.

Pat58: That is scary about your friend whose identity was stolen by a postal worker!

[beanpeanut]

Did anyone here notice that they would be notified by a letter in the mail if there was a compromise?

Seems like same sh++!!....different day.

There must be a few of me out there as of date, this is not my first rodeo in the identity theft specter.

[LoveVA]

Originally Posted by beanpeanut

Did anyone here notice that they would be notified by a letter in the mail if there was a compromise?

Seems like same sh++!!....different day.

There must be a few of me out there as of date, this is not my first rodeo in the identity theft specter.

Not necessarily. Equifax is only notifying by mail those whose credit card numbers were also compromised.

The best thing to do is to assume that your personal information was compromised, like cyana said.

[angie_nrs]

Something you may also want to consider is to check with your homeowners insurance and see if you have identity theft protection. I called my agent and asked and I had to add it to my policy since it wasn't included. A $15,000 policy with a $250 deductible cost me $7 per year. It covers expenses like lawyers, lost work, document fees, advocate costs, etc. It does NOT cover any loss associated with the theft though.