My credit score just went from 750 to 200

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/07/cred...consumers.html

This is not good.....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I don't know what makes me madder - that they were hacked or that company execs sold off stock after they discovered the hacking and before it went public.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

The real issue is that Equifax has critical data on about everyone in America with a social security number. It is very surprising that they didn't have enough data security to prevent a hack. And I think there may well be legal consequences for those executives who sold off their stock. I'd think that could be considered as illegal trading on inside information.

when we lived in SC we were in the large group of residents hacked when their state dept got hit; I've have had cards hacked (#'s stolen and used) and frankly considering the huge total from this latest issue we probably are in the Equifax hack as well...

It's so sad that i dont even get surprised anymore....

I do have to chuckle though, when they offer a 1 year protection for free knowing many hackers hold the info to use later on.

This is key. A past employer was hacked, and they got enough. The company gave us the one year "deal". It was several years later that the hacks started. And they came fast and furious.

"One year"..... yeah.

The problem is you can't change your Social Security number. I heard it amounted to 50% of the United States population was included in this hack.

Freeze your credit, and check over every bill you get with a fine tooth comb.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

we actually were given discounted protection from back when SC was hacked and keep that up to date knowing it can be down the road when something happens.

This is a good tip. Some states charge to have credit freezes lifted, but a small fee is worth piece of mind in the grand scheme of things

My entire life story is already out there after 20 million of us had our security clearance data stolen in the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) breech a couple years ago... What's one more?

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USAF 1981 - 2001

My son and I as well...

And yet we're constantly asked our DOB, etc. at every turn to make everyone's record keeping easier. Might as well just write all our information on restroom walls and be done with it--cut out the middlemen.

Maybe the solution is to create another identity (double) and put that guy's bogus created identity at risk.

"That's me--Alexis Zorba. I have other names if you are interested."

Precisely where all of my anger is, right here. Proceeds from sale in the $millions.

I worked hard to raise my credit score to a very good rating now I find my info was hacked this pisses me off I've been thru alot in my life only to find out now some **** scum has my personal info not a happy camper

Sent from my LG-K371 using Tapatalk

Wondering if I should call up all 3 credit agencies to implement a credit freeze.

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Common sense isn't so common.

Equifax: The Name You Shouldn't Have Trusted

I'm getting punchy from getting hacked. The Chinese got me twice; both my military and civil service career and now the great credit moguls dropped the ball.

They have said they will sign me up with additional protection. Like OPM did for me on the first two hacks.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I am going to freeze my credit, but I am afraid that someone has enough info to unfreeze it!
I never choose to do business with Equifax; any of my info that they had came from someone else that I did business with.
I would like it if my credit could be accessed only if I meet in person with who ever needs a credit check. I don't need to get credit online.

Best,
Rick

LifeLock!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

You need to do it only with Transunion, not all 3. Website: Fraud Alert | Place Online Fraud Alerts on Your Credit Report

I have maintained a fraud alert since the OPM hacking debacle, and everyone reading this should also do it. And keep it in effect. I think you have to renew it every six months which can be done online. I know mine is still in effect until October 1. It will prevent any other unauthorized party from opening up a credit account in your name.

Equifax is apparently offering some free service similar to LifeLock. But exactly how that will work is still up in the air. I have read that if you enroll in it, you waive your right to sue Equifax. That may not stand due to the outrage being generated against Equifax. See more information below.

I understand there is an enormous class action lawsuit now brewing against Equifax and about anyone with a SSN will be part of the class.
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" If your information was exposed, Equifax is offering free identity theft protection and credit file monitoring services. But the offer comes with some conditions that may make you think twice.

You can't get help right away. When people enter their last name and part of their Social Security number on the site to see whether they were affected, some are being told: "Based on the information provided, we believe that your personal information may have been impacted by this incident."

But even in that case, Equifax is not offering the credit monitoring service until next week at the earliest. Monday is the first day you can sign up.

You could be giving up some of your rights to sue. At first, Equifax said anyone who gets the credit monitoring service, TrustedID, must agree to submit any complaints about it to arbitration. Those people wouldn't be allowed to sue, join a class-action suit, or benefit from any class-action settlement.

After public pressure, Equifax added an opt-out provision on Friday. Customers can get out of the arbitration requirement by notifying Equifax in writing within 30 days of accepting the monitoring service. "

Fraud Alert is good for 90 days

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

I'm not real happy about even putting in the info they request to 'check' if you have been hacked. And as I understand you get a time to call THem back and enroll you in Equifax's program! I don't trust it.

My CU sent out info stating that Equifax consumer info that the CU exchanges with them is still secure. Don't know if I believe that either. To many people covering their arse. I'm getting to old for this kind of stuff. Don't like hassling with customer service people I cannot understand!

I'm in agreement with you.
Also, how about the millions that have most of their tangible assets in the form of CASH? CD's Money Market accounts, etc.? what if someone gets access to your online account and steals your savings? How do you rectify that?

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

According to their website, Lifelock uses Equifax services....

How 'bout them apples!!!

Equifax has updated info on their website regarding terms of use.

5) Adjusted the TrustedID Premier and Clarified Equifax.com
We’ve added an FAQ to our website to confirm that enrolling in the free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection that we are offering as part of this cybersecurity incident does not waive any rights to take legal action. We removed that language from the Terms of Use on the website, Cybersecurity Incident & Important Consumer Information | Equifax. The Terms of Use on Equifax | Credit Bureau | Check Your Credit Report & Credit Score do not apply to the TrustedID Premier product being offered to consumers as a result of the cybersecurity incident.

Who will sign up after this change?

So they create a mess, then offer their services for protection. Sounds very much like the mafia!
Pretty good deal for them, offer their in house protection service, which will bring in more money as people start paying the yearly fee!
Debating about the credit freeze, just not sure how that impacts things. Either that our pay $150 for credit protection that is offered through my work.

Read the fine print!...If you sign up you waive your right to be part of a class action suit....Freeze your credit....cost in Arizona is 5 bucks per credit bureau. Varies from state to state, but well worth the piece of mind.
Vinny

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"GUNS UP"

I'd have to disagree. Please think long and hard before you decide to nuke your credit report.

If you're retired and/or elderly ..... have no intention of opening up any lines of credit or borrowing any money, not taking advantage of any credit offers like 90 days same as cash ..... have no credit cards or auto insurance or homeowners insurance ..... a freeze may be good.

Otherwise, remember you'll need to use your smart phone app or home computer to un-freeze and re-freeze your credit as needed.

One option is to have an ID Theft product that not only monitors your credit but your entire identity plus will fix the problem for you should you become a victim.

Did we really think that there is such a thing as "internet privacy"?

"Freeze your credit....cost in Arizona is 5 bucks per credit bureau. Varies from state to state, but well worth the piece of mind."

I have never heard anything about any state fees to freeze your credit. But you don't have to go through any state. Just go on the Trans Union website and follow their directions to do it. Then just keep renewing it on the internet as specified. No cost of any kind, and you will be covered on all three credit agencies (Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian). It is not permanent. If you don't renew it in a timely fashion through Trans Union, then the Fraud Alert lapses.

BUT,they will refund any loss up to $1 million,pay for any legal fees incurred on your behalf and reimburse you for any personal expenditures you may incur. I LIKE them apples!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Equifax may well be forced into providing some free service much like LifeLock. The Federal government's OPM did exactly that for all the government employees and retirees (including military) that were affected by the OPM hack in 2015. It is called MyIDCare, and I understand it will remain in effect until June 2018. I know I still have it as I get frequent reports by eMail about it. But I still put a fraud alert out with the credit reporting agencies. I don't know what I will do when the MyIDCare program expires, but I suspect that those present and former government employees affected will be offered the opportunity to keep the MyIDCare program in effect at a modest cost.

There is no charge to freeze your credit if you are over 65. I just froze mine yesterday.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The Chinese got me twice; once as a military file and once as a civil servant file (that I know of). My OPM free service continues; the military free service expired. Tomorrow I will go the the website provided by Equifax and see what kind of a deal they have in store for me.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

The Senate is asking for answers as to when the executives knew the hack took place. I like to reserve judgements until facts come in, but this looks pretty shaky (emphasis added):

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I think this depends on which State we live in.
In Washington State, there is no fee for over 65. Just hassle.
Also, I think some are confusing Fraud Alerts with Credit Freezes.
Fraud Alerts are free, and only one of the Agencies need be contacted. They expire and can be renewed. Freezes can cost to place and lift. They seem to be ongoing until lifted, either permanently, or for long enough to get approval, etc. We are freezing our reports, if we need to lift the freeze temp, out bank will tell us which one they need access to. Then, refreeze.

Best,
Rick

T-Mobile gave customers 2 years of Experion ID protection after they were hacked an info stolen.It expires next month and Experion is offering to continue the service for $80/yr.

Each time I got an alert when my credit info was asked for during the past 2 years.No fraud was detected but my info is out their waiting.

With an 820 rating a week doesn't pass where I'm not being offered credit cards or loans.

Hacking is part of the world we live in today and cyber criminals don't need a gun or burglar's tools,only a computer and a hackers handbook.

I'm trying to use only one CC and freeze use of all the others.

The Academy,Gander Mtn,Cabelas and some other cards I applied for just to get the gift card all used Equifax.

A new hotel card just gave me $200 off the 1st statement will be frozen and probably won't be used again.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Somebody at work just put out a flyer on the front desk to say that Equifax's website has itself been hacked, INCLUDING THE PART WHERE YOU SIGN UP FOR PROTECTION.

Equifax's credit report monitoring site is also vulnerable to hacking | ZDNet

That's special!

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Release the Kraken

Just wonderful.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Oh, it's going to get much better.

Hackers Gain Direct Access to US Power Grid Controls | WIRED

Hackers are actively targeting US and European power grids

LVSteve is right. I saw this morning's news that stated the so-called fix may be worse than the original hack because of the info you have to give to the site. Ain't things grand?

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I have been trying to freeze my credit since I first heard about this.
Experian went through right away, I had to call TransUnion but finally
got it done.
Still unable to get it done on Equifax website. No option to call.

I have signed up with Credit Sesame which will do all the work
if I do get ID stolen.

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I fish, therefore I lie

To freeze your credit, contact each of the credit bureaus using these phone numbers:

Equifax: 1-800-349-9960
Experian: 1‑888‑397‑3742
TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Thanks Taroman, that worked.

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I fish, therefore I lie

I know this is popular, but for people in the real world, this is a bad idea . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I just finished freezing all of my reports. As above, Experian was a snap.
I had to try several times with the other two, but finally got it done. All was completed on line, no calls or letters. No cost for seniors in WA State, to freeze or lift.

Best,
Rick

This is a good summary of what a Credit Freeze and a Fraud Alert is and does, from the Federal Trade Commission:
Credit Freeze FAQs | Consumer Information

I think a filing a Fraud Alert (using the Trans Union website) is for most a more appropriate and effective action than a Credit Freeze. But it does need to be renewed fairly frequently. No big deal as it takes only a few minutes to do on the internet.

I just placed a security freeze on my credit data with all three credit bureaus. I did it online. Here is my experience:

Experian was the easiest, and charged $10.

Equifax was also fairly easy, and charged nothing (as well they should!). The only hard part was on the last page of the Equifax process where you are supposed to be given the all-important PIN that allows you to unfreeze your data. The page was blank! Fortunately, I noticed my download arrow flash (I used Firefox) and I found the page with my PIN had been downloaded to my desktop.

TransUnion was the trickiest, because you have to set up an account with an ID and password. Then they keep trying to get you to sign up for a free "Credit Lock". The supposed advantage of the Credit Lock over the traditional security freeze is that you have more control. However, for the Credit Lock, you have to give them a ton of personal info, and be willing to be subjected to high pressure sales attempts to get you to buy their paid services. I passed on that, and paid my $10 for the security freeze.

Whether or not you pay $10 to Experian and TransUnion depends on the state you live in. Residents of some states pay nothing, others $5.

Write down and/or print out your PINs and safeguard them. You must use them if you ever want to unfreeze your credit data. The PINs are NOT retrievable from the credit bureaus if you lose them. Of course, there are probably some hackers out there that will be glad to sell them back to you.

What a furshlugginer mess!

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What, me worry?

Has anyone ever actually done a temporary lift on a credit freeze? How long does it take?
Let's say I freeze my credit, then one day see a smokin' deal on a thing, car, house, whatever but need to finance it. Can the lift be done with a phone call?

As I understand it, you manage your credit freeze from an app on your smart phone or other device.

I've never done it, but the articles I've read have said remove the freeze two to three days before you need access. Why, I don't know. It seems to me if you do it online, the freeze should be lifted immediately. These days, it would seem prudent to keep the "unfrozen" window open as short a time as possible.

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What, me worry?