[RP TownTalk] Statement from Attorney General Frosh on Equifax Data Breach

[Sarah Wayland]

*CONSUMER ALERT*

*Statement from Attorney General Frosh on Equifax Data Breach*

*BALTIMORE, MD (September 8, 2017) *- Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh
today issued the following statement regarding the Equifax data breach,
affecting approximately 143 million Americans.

*"This data breach is one of the most alarming we've seen. The number
of Americans
impacted is enormous. I am deeply concerned that Equifax seems to be
charging victims for services to identify and protect themselves from damages
relating to the breach. It would compound the outrage if Equifax was
profiting from its failure to maintain safely all of the data in its charge.
*

*"My office has reached out to Equifax and is seeking answers to understand the
circumstances that led to the breach. Equifax must disclose the reasons for
the apparent delay between the breach and the company's public announcement,
what protections the company had in place at the time of the breach, and
why it appears to be attempting to profit from its own negligence. We will
be closely monitoring the company's response to ensure that Maryland
consumers are protected.  I urge consumers to take necessary steps to
prevent any misuse of their information, while my office continues to
investigate this massive data breach."*

*BACKGROUND*

On September 7, 2017, Equifax publicized that the company experienced a
data breach. According to the company, the breach lasted from mid-May
through July of 2017. The data breach exposed full names, Social Security
Numbers, birth dates, addresses, and driver's license numbers.  For another
209,000 consumers, it also included credit card information.

The Equifax data breach puts consumers at risk for new account fraud, since
it exposes personal information necessary to open new accounts at any point
in the future. This information can be used to take out loans, open new
credit accounts and other illegal and potentially damaging actions.

Attorney General Frosh encourages consumers to take the following steps:

- Check your credit reports from all three of the major
creditreporting agencies:
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Reports can be obtained for FREE by
visitingwww.annualcreditreport.com. Unrecognizable accounts or activity
could indicate identity theft.

- Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. A credit freeze makes it
harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that credit
freezes must be obtained from each of the credit reporting agencies, and
cost $5 from each credit agency.  A credit freeze won't prevent a thief from
making charges to your existing accounts, such as debit and credit cards.
Parents or guardians of minor children may also place a credit freeze on
behalf of their child. For more information on how to obtain a credit
freeze, please visit http://www.marylandattorneygen
<http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/IdentityTheft/freezing.aspx>
eral.gov/Pages/IdentityTheft/freezing.aspx

- Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for changes
you do not recognize.

- Visit www.identitytheft.gov/databreach to learn more.

Equifax appears to be offering consumers one year of free credit
monitoring. However, Attorney General Frosh is still analyzing the terms
attached to that offer, and cannot yet endorse consumers exercising this
option. Consumers who go this route should be careful not to accidentally
sign up for Equifax's paid service. If you are asked to enter your full
Social Security Number, do not proceed.  Their free offer only asks for
your last name and the last 6 digits of your Social Security Number.

The Office of the Attorney General recommends that consumers review their
account statements, online accounts, and credit files regularly for
suspicious activity. If consumers feel they have been harmed and want to
file a complaint, please call our Identity Theft Unit at * 1-888-743-0023*,
or visit our website at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov



*Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. | www.GuidingExceptionalParents.com
<http://www.GuidingExceptionalParents.com>Supporting students with learning
differences & their families*

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