This article was published by the IRS.
The recent Equifax hack has credit users on edge, wondering if they were a victim and if so, what steps they should take.
The first step is to find out if you were among the estimated 143 million Americans who were affected. Use Equifax’s Potential Impact tool to find out. (You will need to input your last name and the last six digits of your SSN to use this tool.)
Whether or not you were impacted, Equifax is offering one free year of credit monitoring through their TrustedID Premier service. (Sign up via the Potential Impact tool.)
You can also set up fraud alerts with the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to notify you if someone tries to apply for credit in your name. (If you contact one agency, they will notify the other two.) Fraud alerts are good for 90 days. If you don’t already use fraud alerts through your credit/debit cards, start doing so.
It may also be a good idea to activate a credit freeze if you believe you were among those whose data was stolen. This locks your credit files to stop any new credit information releases, and prevents any new accounts from being opened in your name by an identity thief. It generally lasts until you temporarily lift or permanently remove it.
You will need to contact each credit bureau to activate a credit freeze. The cost varies by state; in Massachusetts, it costs $5 per freeze. (Equifax temporarily waived the fee.)
Below is the contact information for each bureau:
Equifax – 1-800-349-9960 (www.equifax.com/personal)
Experian – 1-888-397-3742 (www.experian.com)
TransUnion – 1-888-909-8872 (www.transunion.com)
Check your credit report and financial statements on a regular basis to ensure all information is accurate. You can get one free credit report every year from all three credit bureaus at annualcreditreport.com. (Get a free report every four months by alternating with the agencies.)
Routinely change all online passwords, using long and strong character combinations. Create a unique password for each device and account, using a password manager to keep track of them.
Be suspicious of receiving a phone call or email from anyone claiming to be from Equifax. While Equifax WILL BE notifying all customers whose credit card information was breached, they WILL NOT call or email customers to verify information.
If you suspect that your information has been compromised, contact one of the credit reporting agencies or the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at (877) IDTHEFT (438-4338).