Issued By: Vermont – Attorney General’s Office
Affected Jurisdictions: Vermont
Equifax, a credit reporting agency, has reported a massive data breach of sensitive consumer information. This breach includes Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and possibly even driver’s license and credit card information. Most Vermont adults are likely impacted by this breach.
Get the latest information and learn more steps you can take to protect yourself from possible identity theft at consumer.vermont.gov, or call us at 800-649-2424
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“A massive data breach of sensitive consumer information”
“Most Vermont adults are likely impacted by this breach”
What really happened, and how will it affect “most Vermont adults”?
UVM: "Who is Equifax? Why should I be concerned?"
http://blog.uvm.edu/cap/identity-theft-and-information-on-the-equifax-data-security-breach/
Full text:
Who is Equifax? Why should I be concerned?
Equifax is a consumer credit reporting agency. Equifax gathers and provides credit information based on an individual’s borrowing and bill-paying habits.
Equifax suffered a major data security breach on July 29, 2017. Over 240,000 Vermonters were potentially impacted and are vulnerable to identity theft. The information stolen includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. In addition, credit card numbers and certain dispute documents with personal information were accessed. Equifax will be sending letters to all affected consumers.
You can visit equifaxsecurity2017.com or call 866-447-7559 (every day from 7am to 1pm EST) to see if you were affected or to follow the ongoing investigation. Be aware that the Equifax website requires waiver of certain legal rights. If this is a concern, please read the Terms and Conditions of that website closely. You can also contact the Attorney General’s office at 800-649-2424 or AGO.CAP@vermont.gov with further questions.
What is identity theft?
A breach does not necessarily mean you are a victim of identity theft. A breach means you are now susceptible to identity theft.
Identity theft is the unauthorized use of another person’s personal information to obtain credit, goods, services, money or property (for more information on Vermont laws regarding privacy and data security, click here).
Identity theft may involve fraudulent use of credit card or bank account information. In some cases, your social security number and other personal information may be used to fraudulently obtain driver’s licenses, lines of credit, loans or other consumer accounts.
I think I am a victim of identity theft. What steps should I take?
Review your credit reports carefully for any unauthorized accounts. You can obtain your free credit report from each of the Credit Reporting Bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find anything that should not be there, be sure to save a copy of the report. Then, contact the credit reporting agency to dispute all inaccurate items.
Place a fraud alert or consider a freeze on your credit reports. Freezing your credit report could help prevent unauthorized creation of new accounts using your information. Freezing your credit report does not mean freezing your bank account, or that you won’t be able to use your credit card. You can find out more information from the Federal Trade Commission about fraud alerts and freezing your credit files. To place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit files, contact the three credit reporting agencies listed here:
EQUIFAX 1-800-525-6285
EXPERIAN 1-888-397-3742
TRANSUNION 1-800-680-7289
Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
File an “identity theft” police report and ask for a copy for your records. Find your local police agency.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
Write down the name of anyone you talk to, what s/he told you, and the date of the conversation.
Follow-up in writing with all contacts you’ve made about the ID theft on the phone or in person. Use certified mail, return receipt requested, for all correspondence regarding the theft.
Keep copies of all correspondence or forms relating to the ID theft.
Keep the originals of supporting documentation, like police reports and letters to and from creditors; send copies only.
Keep old files even if you believe the problem is resolved.
I still have questions, where can I find out more?
Find out more about identity theft by visiting the Federal Trade Commission. You can also contact us at 800-649-2424 or AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.
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