Were you impacted by the 2017 Equifax Data Breach?
Don’t forget to file your claim and take advantage of free credit monitoring services! The deadline to file a claim is January 22, 2020. If you would like to exclude yourself from the settlement, comment, or object to the settlement, the deadline is November 19, 2019.
For more information about deadlines and filing a claim, visit the Equifax Data Breach website. If you were affected by the breach, you’re eligible for free credit monitoring or up to $125 cash payment.
Want to know if you were affected by the Equifax data breach?
Visit the Equifax Data Breach Settlement website to find out.
“I was affected by the data breach. Should I worry about 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.
Additionally, you may want to consider placing a security freeze on your credit reports. This is the most effective step you can take to block unauthorized use of your personal information. However, it does carry some costs and can create some minor difficulty if you need get a loan, credit card or other credit account. A security freeze does not affect your ability to use accounts that you have now. Find out more about freezing your credit files below and from the Federal Trade Commission.
Concerned about protecting your minor children from identity theft?
The Federal Trade Commission has excellent resources on child credit protection.
For the latest information about the Equifax Data Breach, visit the Vermont Attorney General’s website or the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
Contributing Writer: Madison Braz
Content Editor: Crystal Baldwin