The “geniuses” at Equifax evidently didn’t get the memo at the outset regarding personal data on an unsecure site being bad. The first couple of times I went to check if I were one of the elect who have been unceremoniously screwed by their incompetence, my computer alerted me that the compromise check site is not secure and “your personal data may be visible to hackers”. Good job, Equifax! Morons. Well, I just now managed to get enrolled, after trying five times to get their site’s Captcha to work. In one year’s time, don’t expect me–or anyone else, for that matter–to sit idly by while you clowns decide that we will be offered another year of your identity protection (which, evidently, isn’t worth a tinker’s fart) and then expect us to pay you clowns. No, you twerps! What you should do–until you go bankrupt, of course, and are no longer around–is give everyone who got compromised lifetime service. Morons.
By the way, how do those of us affected by this who live overseas join the class action suit?
So I went to https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com to try enrolling. Told me that I might be affected and to come back on the 10[sup]th[/sup] to complete the process. Did that; it told me that I’m probably not affected and to come back on the 15[sup]th[/sup] to complete the process. Fuck 'em.
So I read that a freeze on all three credit agencies is the right thing to do? Outside confirmation? For how long would it need to be frozen? How much effort to both do and undo? What happens if a potential employer tries to look at it in the meantime?
If the financial industry grants credit to fraudulent impostors because they didn’t do their due diligence, isn’t it the financial industry itself that has to eat the losses? I would think this would be a bigger problem for them than for the consumers. My first inclination is to sit back let them sort it out. They are Equifax’s customer, not me. I’m the product. Or is it not true that consumers can’t be stuck with the losses from fraud? (At least beyond 50 bucks.)
Have you ever had to deal with trying to clear up the mess left when someone opens credit in your name that isn’t you? Hint: It is often not easy. I’m not talking about someone stealing your credit card info and charging something on your legit card…that can be fairly easy to clear up. I’m talking about someone getting a loan in your name without your knowledge. The first you know about it is when you get a bill in the mail from a creditor you have no knowledge of.
Yup, the problem isn’t direct financial liability, is the immense hassle of sorting it out. Try getting even a minor error or your credit record corrected, let alone a fraudulent debt. It’s an extremely annoying and time-consuming process.
*4. “If I take Equifax’s offer for credit monitoring, I am giving up my right to sue.”
No. Not anymore.
Initially, Equifax limited the legal options consumers had, but it has since updated its policy to say: “enrolling in the free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection products that we are offering as part of this cybersecurity incident does not prohibit consumers from taking legal action.”
Winston credits the quick response of politicians, attorneys general, the media and individuals on social media with Equifax’s about-face on this issue.
“There was an arbitration and limitation of liability clause in place initially and they have removed those offending provisions, in the face of widespread outcry,” says Winston. “But, it was a battle that consumers should have never needed to fight.”*
Mostly right, except for the last sentence. The first you know of it is when you go to buy a new car, or buy a house, or finance new furniture, or get another type of loan & get denied/low credit rates because you have a write-off (or two) which has tanked your credit score.
Even more good news if you’re Argentinian, Equifax Argentina had employee credentials behind a web portal that could be logged in using admin/admin. The same site also contained all the personal information of anybody who had ever filed a complaint against Equifax in Argentina.
You are correct: I mistyped that last sentence. It should’ve been “The first you know about it is when you get a collection notice in the mail from a creditor you have no knowledge of.”
What I have seen seriously recommended is cancelling cards and filing your taxes early so no one can file them for you and get your return. The latter is ridiculous: shouldn’t they know your address from your employer?
No, that’s not what I am saying although it has probably happened plenty.
Scenario 1: Someone somehow gets you credit card info and makes fraudulent purchases using your valid credit card info. This is fairly easy to correct and happens all the time.
Scenario 2: Equifax leaks your SSN, birthdate, address, employer, former addresses…everything you need to open a line of credit. Leaked data is used by someone other than you to open a brand new credit card that you have no idea of. That credit card, under your name, is used to buy merchandise. You have no idea any of this ever happens. You later find out about it because you haven’t paid the unknown bill and you get a call from a credit collection agency. You think this is going to be easy to rectify?
Scenario 2 is what I’m taking about and is much harder to clean up than the common #1. Look up “identity theft”.
I’m guessing it’s possible to put in a new address and then when they ask if you’ve been at that address for more than two years, say “no, here is my previous address”. Then the card and bills are sent to the “new” address.
Of course, I’m guessing here because I’ve never impersonated someone but it happens often enough that this doesn’t seem to be an impediment once you know every detail about a person.
Companies should pressure the credit agencies to make freezes be temporarily thawed for free. As it is now, many people will need to pay $5-10 to unfreeze their account when applying for new credit. All those stores who say at checkout “Would you like to save 10% on today’s purchase by applying for our CC” will now get many fewer takers. How many people are going to want to spend the money for the thaw so they can get a Home Depot card or whatever?
This also gives all of us a real reason to sue Equifax. We’ll need to pay the freeze/thaw fees forever since the criminals can use that info at any time in the future.