What to do if your data was stolen by hackers from Equifax

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On Thursday, the credit bureau Equifax reported on theft of personal data 143 million Americans. This means that approximately 44% of US residents have stolen personal information on cards or driver's license numbers and other types of personal identification.

A similar story could happen to any agency that deals with the processing and servicing of loans. Social Security number is one of the most important documents. Knowing it, you can get other information on personal identification and apply for a loan, apply for state benefits, open a bank account, file a tax return, or get medical care. Knowing the social security number, attackers can steal money and property.

If there is a suspicion that your social security number has been stolen, the following steps should be taken:

— Notify each of the three major credit reporting agencies.

- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. They will provide a free copy of your current credit score.

- Alert at least one of these agencies so they can freeze the loan process if fraudsters use your information.

— File a report with the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Trade Commission, and your local police department.

- Check all your credit reports, bank accounts, profit and loss balance sheets, and social security statements for suspicious activity.

— Make sure you keep your Social Security card in a safe place (not in your wallet) and destroy unnecessary documents containing sensitive information.

After completing these steps, register with your personal data protection service. Now, Equifax has developed the TrustedID Premier program, which can be used for free throughout the year, regardless of whether information about you has been stolen or not. This program will track whether your data is used to open new credit accounts or your social security number has appeared on suspicious sites.

Some experts believe that the new service from Equifax is a PR move aimed at expanding the customer base. All personal data protection companies usually offer a free trial period before providing premium access with additional features.

If you have lost confidence in Equifax, then there are other services that are engaged in data protection. As a rule, these companies come in two categories. The first ones monitor credit standing, track suspicious activity based on data from the three main credit bureaus. The second - scan cases when your bank account or social security number was used and was not included in the credit history.

In addition, if you are a victim of data theft, you can contact one of the many insurance agencies that deal with the consequences. More information about the services can be found at FTC site.

If you are faced with the consequences of data theft, you can apply for a new social security number. In this case, the government requires proof of damage caused by data theft. This may include problems with paying for a mortgage, with law enforcement agencies, a damaged credit history, and so on. If you intend to get a new number, then keep in mind that you will have to adjust your credit history, and this takes time and may cause complications in obtaining loans and other financial agreements.

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