How to Know If You Have Been Affected by the Equifax Hack
There are a number of nefarious things to watch out for when your Social Security number has been compromised. Due to the recent Equifax data breach, you might be wondering how to find out if a thief is using your stolen information.
First, check the potential impact on the Equifax TrustedID website . You will need to enter the last 6 digits of your social security number (and your last name) and the site will tell you if there is any reason to believe your information has been stolen. When the hack was first announced, they told you to check again, which was terribly frustrating, but now the site will immediately tell you how likely you were to be hacked. ( Note : some users have reported receiving conflicting information from the site , so you can simply be careful and assume that your data has been compromised.)
Second, and most importantly, keep an eye on your credit report. You can use a credit monitoring service like Equifax’s TrustedID (which they offer for free for a year), but it’s probably best if you also check your credit reports regularly as well. You have the right to receive a free copy of your report from each of the three major bureaus every year (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and you can get a copy of yours at Annualcreditreport.com .
If someone opens a line of credit in your name, it will be indicated on your report and you will have to dispute it. In the event of fraud, you should contact each of the three credit reporting agencies to dispute inaccurate data. Here are the contact information for all three bureaus:
Equifax Alerts
(888) 766-0008 Equifax Consumer Fraud Unit, PO Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
Experian Fraud Center
(888) 397-3742 Expert P.O. Box 9554Allen, TX 75013
(888) 909-8872, Department of Transnational Fraud Assistance, PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Finally, consider blocking and scamming all three of your credit reports if your data has likely been stolen. Some states may charge a fee for this, but Equifax is now waiving the fee .
It’s also important to review your credit report regularly, not just now. As CNN writes , “… it will be difficult to prove that someone is taking out a loan in your name in 15 years because of this. But it could have happened. “
Opening a fake account is the most common thing someone does with your Social Security number, but it’s one of the least dangerous things they can do. Pam Dixon, executive director of the World Privacy Forum, told Popular Science :
“However, with a social security number, we are caught in fake identity theft, in which someone can literally take over your identity and use it to steal medical supplies or commit serious crimes.”
Criminals can also “file fake tax returns, create fake identity children, and even create problems with mortgages and household documents,” the site said.
The FTC shares some identity theft warnings :
- You are seeing withdrawals from your bank account, which you cannot explain.
- You are not receiving bills or other mail.
- The merchants refuse your checks.
- Collectors call you about other people’s debts.
- You will find unfamiliar bills or payments on your credit report.
- Health care providers will bill you for services you did not use.
- Your health plan is denying your legal medical claim because the records show that you have reached the benefit limit.
- The health plan will not cover you because your medical records indicate a condition that you do not have.
- The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return has been filed in your name or that you have income from an employer you do not work for.
Dixon suggests creating an account on the Social Security Administration website before anyone else does. ( Important : If you’ve already posted a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit report (s), you wo n’t be able to do so online and you’ll either have to cancel the freeze or contact your local social security office , per SSA.) This way, you can at least check your Social Security earnings to see if anything looks wrong. You should have some information on hand, as the site will ask you about the specific accounts you have opened to verify your identity, and if you give the wrong answer, you will be blocked for 24 hours.
In addition, the FTC suggests filing tax returns as early as possible before a potential fraudster can. “Tax information theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number for a tax refund or job,” they explain. “Respond to emails from the IRS immediately.”
If you suspect someone is using your identity to open lines of credit, apply for a job, or other activity, you will need to complete an Identity Theft Affidavit and create an Identity Theft Report with the FTC. You can submit this online, by phone, or by mail:
1-877-ID THEFT (877-438-4338)
TDD (toll free): 1-866-653-4261
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20580