There is always a solution to a problem. The problem is the unwillingness to create a reasonable solution. What is reasonable is for the three credit agencies to freeze all of our credit, so that no new credit lines can be opened without following more diligent vetting.
That's the first thing to do.
It does not make sense that we have to pay not to have credit. So turn that around. Make it much harder to get credit.
That is what is needed. For starters.
There is always something to do. The real question is, who cares? If a company or individual does not care enough to protect my data, it can't have it. I don't care how many terms and conditions you've gotten us all to sign. It is unethical to be asking us to increase our risk of devastating life challenges because you all can not keep our data secure.
5
I have been trying to freeze my Equifax credit file for 4 days without any luck day or night. I keep either getting error or a page that does not have freezing as an option. I tried calling no luck either and calling center employees have no answers. I finially sent a request to freeze my account by mail. I was able to freeze my account with Experian and Trans Union on line without any problems.
This morning on the Equifax website, I punched in my last name and the last six digits of my Social Security number and was told my credit information had not been compromised. Do I need to take any further action?
These reporting agencies don't care because we are not their customers; we are their victims.
5
I think two things should happen:
1. Congress pass a law that all organizations responsible for using personal information without the explicit written permission of the owners should be held responsible and required to pay for all damages incurred by their loss of the information to hackers. This should be without a statute of limitations and be retroactive to all the people who are involved in this scandal. This is everybody, the credit agencies, banks, financial institutions, medical institutions, insurance companies etc. This is the only way that these organizations are going to take security and personal identity seriouisly.
2. To mitigate the financial risk to the economy by the above law the social security administration should add a digit to new social security numbers and issue new numbers to all the people affected and apply for them. If people don't get new numbers then the law in 1 is not to be applied. It would be up to the individuals getting the new numbers to replace the snn in all accounts that they are used in otherwise 1 would not apply.
3
What gives these credit reporting agencies the right to collect my information without my consent and then charge me for access to that information?
4
I was a postgrad student from Europe in the US over 20 years ago, with a social security number, a bank account, a rental apartment, etc. Could this breach affect me in any way, now that I have been living back in Europe for 20 years? If so, any tips on what I must do? Thanks!
I entered my info at the Equifax site, and their reply to whether I was affected or not was "maybe". My question is whether anyone got a "no" answer, or are they just covering their you-know-whats?
Also, I already had freezes on all my accounts ( I recall doing that after a breach at Experian, I think). I believe that offers at least some protection, but what other risks are there, and does it mean that my data might have been stored differently (in a more protected way) in the first place? Fingers crossed....
3
Both my husband and I got "no" answers. The exact phrasing was "Based on the information provided, we believe that your personal information was not impacted by this incident."
1
Is there a point at which a company such as Equifax loses the right to house sensitive consumer data? Given that for them, it seems to be more of a business enterprise than duty of safekeeping, why is it more of a right than a privilege for them to have my information? At what point in our lives do we consent to even allow them to have our information?
5
Is there any value is signing up for the (only) 90 days of credit monitoring that is available on the Equifax site if I'm already planning on requesting a credit freeze from that and other sites?
1
The larger question is are we going to continue to let commercial enterprises profit from the virtually unfettered use of our personal information at the real and seemingly growing risk of severe financial penalties to consumers?
A balance needs to be struck between the ability of businesses and other organizations to advance their legitimate interests and the right of a person to control and protect their interests. While the economy arguably benefits from the emerging science of "big data" as well as the very focused uses of personal data in commerce the current system provides no working check on abuses and the pure disregard for the consequences of their actions exhibited by many entities, including Equifax.
It appears to be another manifestation of the capture of the political system by the monied interests from Wall Street to Silicon Valley to the Board Rooms of America and now to the White House. The greatest social-economic system ever invented looks to be careening towards its own destruction.
2
I wanted to check the credit reports at all three agencies before placing the freezes. Used annualcreditreport.com, and had mixed results. For myself, was able to get TransUnion and Experian, but not Equifax. For my mother, was able to get Equifax, but not TransUnion or Experian. Now what? Will we have to pay to see our reports because they think we've already seen the free ones we are entitled to each year?
From all the various articles I've read, simply freezing your credit will not be the entire answer against ID fraud. As I don't understand all the ins/outs of identity fraud, what else can be done?
2
What is so galling about all of this is the fact that we did not ask them to store all of our information. These companies are making millions and if you have ever checked they know everything about you, what kind of cars you have had, all of the addresses you have lived at. And our government does nothing to protect us.
And the credit card companies are even worse. If your card is breached they will never tell you what company stole your credit card number.
6
I also signed up online for a credit freeze at Equifax but somehow missed the pdf pop-up with my PIN on it. Now I have freeze that I cannot remove.”
Every person's credit account should be frozen by Equifax until such time that they are able to get a handle on how something this grave happened and why it happened. People shouldn't be scurrying around asking for freezes on their accounts. It's a disgrace.
11
Equifax deserves no credit for the way they have handled this.
2
We truly have become numbers.
Burying cash does not seem that silly anymore.
4
Why isn't the Equifax problem on the front page above the fold? It is unprecedented in it's breadth and scope. There is no resolution in sight. Is there a bigger story effecting more people? Why is this buried in the business section?
4
Equifax has allowed a criminal act. The upstart is that Equifax will face no penalty and does not care.
2
For those wishing to change their SS# to a new one, be advised that the process is quite arduous and your new number is still tied to your old one.
What do you mean by old PIN numbers?