What To Do If Your Data has Been Hacked into Or Credit Card Stolen!

byCash4Value

246 followers

7 years ago

Hi!
Just a couple of days ago I stumbled on a BBC news report that says; "Massive Equifax data breach hits 143 million".

My immediate reaction was to click on a link in the report which pops up more information on the Equifax website. I got pretty much curios for more information because I knew I was a consumer of the Equifax credit report data system!

I found out Equifax quickly came up with a new website where people could get more information concerning this new data breach (WWW.equifaxsecurity2017.com). Meanwhile, Equifax has confirmed that about 143 million US customers of the credit report giant may have had their information compromised in this latest cyber security breach!
Consumers are advised to click on a purple box text link to see if their personal information have been potentially impacted, and go through a couple of steps to enroll in TrustedID Premier. According to Equifax, TrustedID Premier is one it's platform for credit file monitoring and identity theft protection. Consumers are encouraged to sign up for TrustedID Premier!

My Fears

My fears became real when I clicked on that link, and went through the few steps as directed! Boy! ...I got it; what I prayed would not happen: "my personal information may have been impacted as a result of this hacking"! ...I could feel some warmth run down my spine!

If you believe your personal information was exposed in a data breach or lost your credit card Or your online account was hacked into, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft. IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process. I advise, like I have done in my case, to visit www.identitytheft.gov/Steps, and go through the next procedures:

What To Do Right Away

Step 1: Call the companies where you know fraud occurred.
Call the fraud department. Explain that someone stole your identity.
Ask them to close or freeze the accounts. Then, no one can add new charges unless you agree.
Change logins, passwords and PINS for your accounts.

Step 2: Place a fraud alert and get your credit reports.
Place a free, 90-day fraud alert by contacting one of the three credit bureaus. All three major credit bureaus usually exchanged such information.

1. Experian fraud Alert
1-888-397-3742
2. TransUnion fraud Alert
1-800-680-7289
3. Equifax Credit Report Assistance
1-888-766-0008

A fraud alert is free. It will make it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. When you have an alert on your report, a business must verify your identity before it issues new credit in your name. You can renew the fraud alert after 90 days.
You’ll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file.

Step 3: Report identity theft to the FTC.
Complete the online form or call 1-877-438-4338. Include as many details as possible.
Based on the information you enter, IdentityTheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.

Your identity theft report proves to businesses that someone stole your identity. It also guarantees you certain rights.

You may choose to file a report with your local police department.
Go to your local police office with:

• a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report

• a government-issued ID with a photo

• proof of your address (mortgage statement, rental agreement, or utilities bill)

• any other proof you have of the theft (bills, IRS notices, etc.)

• FTC's Memo to Law Enforcement [PDF]

Tell the police someone stole your identity and you need to file a report.
Ask for a copy of the police report. You may need this to complete other steps.