On September 7, 2017,
nationwide credit reporting agency Equifax announced that a massive data breach incident had impacted approximately 143 million Americans — almost half of the country — a number that grew to include 145.5 million people in the U.S..
Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn On September 7, 2017,
nationwide credit reporting agency Equifax announced that a massive data breach incident had impacted approximately 143 million Americans — almost half of the country — a number that grew to include 145.5 million people in the U.S..
Get your credit reports from all three
nationwide credit reporting agencies and check for inquiries that you do not recognize and any new accounts opened in your name.
Place a security freeze on your credit files at each of the three
Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies.
Contact one of the three
Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies to place a fraud alert.
There are 3
nationwide credit reporting agencies that keep data on consumers: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act,
the nationwide credit reporting agencies are required to provide you with a free credit, at your request, every 12 months.
The nationwide credit reporting agencies have set up one central website for issuing your yearly credit reports.
To place a credit freeze, contact each of
the nationwide credit reporting agencies:
Contact any of the three
nationwide credit reporting agencies:
According to a publication from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), «Consumers with limited credit histories reflected in the credit records maintained by the three
nationwide credit reporting agencies... face significant challenges in accessing most credit markets.»
«For the remaining states (Alabama, Michigan, and Missouri),
the nationwide credit reporting agencies have voluntarily given residents the opportunity to place freezes.»
This agency collects & compiles information regarding deposit accounts, much like
the nationwide credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax & TransUnion) collect & compile information regarding credit accounts (e.g credit cards, home loans & auto loans).
If the information provider finds the disputed information to be inaccurate, it must notify
all nationwide credit reporting agencies so they can correct this information in your file.
Identify the names and addresses associated with a Social Security Number (SSN) using information obtained from one of
the nationwide credit reporting agencies.