what to write to attorney general re equifax breach

by Alysha Fahey 7 min read

Are You one of 143 million Americans exposed in Equifax data breach?

RE: NOTICE OF DATA BREACH ... Equifax and Transunion files for ... avoiding identity theft from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001, 1-877-5-NO-SCAM, www.ncdoj.gov. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION

How can I protect myself after a data breach?

Equifax is offering TrustedID Premier, which includes credit file monitoring and identity theft protection product, complimentary for one year. Consumers have until January 31, 2018 to take advantage of the complimentary, one-year subscription to TrustedID Premier. Equifax is also offering free security freezes.

How do I enroll after a data breach?

Jul 22, 2019 · Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton immediately commenced an investigation to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding this massive breach. On Monday, July 22 nd General Paxton announced his office’s entry of a Final Judgment against Equifax as part of a historic $600 million-dollar multistate settlement with the company.

What should I do if someone steals my tax information?

On July 22, Attorney General James announced a multistate settlement with Equifax following their 2017 breach that compromised Social Security numbers, names, dates of birth, addresses, credit card numbers, and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers of nearly half the U.S. population. While the company created a website, in 2017, for Americans to check and see if …

What should I do if my information was breached by Equifax?

Prepare and file your claim To follow the settlement, the FTC suggests you sign up to receive email updates. You can also check the FTC's Equifax Data Breach Settlement page and the official data breach settlement page for updates. And the FTC has a number you can call -- (833) 759-2982 -- for updates.Jan 17, 2020

How do I sue Equifax for data breach?

To get free credit monitoring or a cash payment (or both), you must submit a claim:online at EquifaxBreachSettlement.com, or.through the mail. (Send your claim to Equifax Data Breach Settlement Administrator, c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91318, Seattle, WA 98111-9418).

What to do if you are a victim of a data breach?

7 Steps to take after your personal data is compromised onlineChange your passwords. ... Sign up for two-factor authentication. ... Check for updates from the company. ... Watch your accounts, check your credit reports. ... Consider identity theft protection services. ... Freeze your credit. ... Go to IdentityTheft.gov.More items...

How do I get my money from Equifax breach?

Submit a claim to receive reimbursement for Equifax Subscription Product Reimbursements. You may access Identity Restoration Services after the Settlement becomes effective regardless of whether or not you make a claim under the Settlement. For more detailed information, see FAQ 11.

Can I get compensation for a data breach?

The GDPR gives you a right to claim compensation from an organisation if you have suffered damage as a result of it breaking data protection law. This includes both “material damage” (e.g. you have lost money) or “non-material damage” (e.g. you have suffered distress).

Can I file a lawsuit against Equifax?

Once you submit your Equifax dispute, Equifax has a 30-day window to verify and correct the mistake. ... If you receive your Equifax dispute results and see that the error was not fixed, you have the right to sue Equifax.

What positive steps can a company take when a data breach happens?

What Should A Company Do After a Data Breach: 7 Steps To TakeLet Your Company's Employees & Clients Know About the Data Breach. ... Secure Your Systems. ... Determine What Was Breached. ... Test to Make Sure Your New Cybersecurity Defenses Work. ... Update All Data Breach Protocols. ... Consider Getting Cyber Liability Insurance.More items...•Sep 10, 2021

Can you sue for a data breach?

A data breach lawsuit is subject to the same rules for filing a claim. They are all but guaranteed to be tossed out of court unless there is actual harm from the breach at issue. ... Congress can make it clear that organizations that fail to protect data can be sued based on the risk of future harm.Aug 27, 2021

What if someone uses your personal information?

Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will collect the details of your situation.Dec 14, 2021

How much will Equifax settlement be?

The company has agreed to a global settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories. The settlement includes up to $425 million to help people affected by the data breach.”Feb 5, 2022

How long does Equifax check take?

If you order it by phone or by mail, it will be processed and mailed to you within 15 days of receipt.

Are Equifax scores accurate?

Here's the short answer: The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma come directly from TransUnion and Equifax, two of the three major consumer credit bureaus. The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus.Feb 8, 2022

Equifax - Frequently Asked Questions

In September of 2017 Equifax disclosed that its electronic files had been breached and that the information of approximately 147 million persons had been unlawfully accessed, including 12.2 million Texans.

What Is This Case About?

In September of 2017 Equifax disclosed that its electronic files had been breached and that the information of approximately 147 million persons had been unlawfully accessed, including 12.2 million Texans.

How much did Equifax pay in fines?

Under the settlement, Equifax has also agreed to pay $175 million in fines to the Attorneys General of 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; $100 million in fines to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB); and $10 million in fines to New York State’s Department of Financial Services.

How long does Equifax monitor credit?

The first four years of credit-monitoring service will include monitoring by all three of the big three credit reporting agencies, while years five through 10 will be made available through Equifax.

Who settled Equifax?

Attorney General Chris Carr announced on July 22, 2019, that a coalition of 50 attorneys general, including 48 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, reached a settlement with Equifax as the result of an investigation into the 2017 data breach.

How long is free credit monitoring?

The free credit monitoring includes: At least four years of free credit monitoring of your credit report at all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and $1,000,000 of identity theft insurance. Up to six more years of free credit monitoring of your Equifax credit report. If you were a minor in May 2017, you are eligible ...

Equifax 2017 Data Breach Settlement with State Attorneys General

On July 22, 2019, the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, along with 47 state Attorneys General, and the Attorneys General of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., announced an historic $600 million settlement with Equifax concerning the 2017 Equifax data breach affecting over 147 million Americans.

SUMMARY OF THE SETTLEMENT

On July 22, 2019, the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, along with 47 state Attorneys General, and the Attorneys General of Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., announced an historic $600 million settlement with Equifax concerning the 2017 Equifax data breach affecting over 147 million Americans.

How long did the Equifax breach last?

Here are the facts, according to Equifax. The breach lasted from mid-May through July.

What is fraud alert?

A fraud alert warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they should verify that anyone seeking credit in your name really is you. File your taxes early — as soon as you have the tax information you need, before a scammer can.

How to protect yourself from identity theft?

Here are some other steps to take to help protect yourself after a data breach: 1 Check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — for free — by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to find out what to do. 2 Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won’t prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. 3 Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for charges you don’t recognize. 4 If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. A fraud alert warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they should verify that anyone seeking credit in your name really is you.

What does a credit freeze do?

A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won’t prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for charges you don’t recognize.