You have likely heard about the recent Equifax data breach, as this unfortunate event affects approximately 44% of Americans. Equifax, a major credit bureau, was compromised and the personal information of approximately 143 million consumers was stolen. The information leaked may include:
- Consumer names
- Social Security numbers
- Birth dates
- Addresses
- Driver’s license numbers
This was NOT a compromise of DMB Community Bank, and no information was taken from our systems.
Equifax has set up a special website to provide updated information to consumers, and is offering free services to all U.S. consumers due to the breach. Visit Equifax’s website.
- Find out if your information was exposed. Click on the “Potential Impact” tab and enter your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number. Your Social Security number is sensitive information, so make sure you’re on a secure computer and an encrypted network connection any time you enter it. The site will tell you if you’ve been affected by this breach.
- Monitor your bank account for fraudulent activity
- U.S. consumers can get a year of free credit monitoring and other services. The site will give you a date when you can come back to enroll. Write down the date and come back to the site and click “Enroll” on that date. You have until November 21, 2017 to enroll.
Here are some additional steps you might want to take:
Because your Social Security Number was exposed...
- Consider whether you want to sign up for the free credit monitoring services that Equifax is offering.
- Get your free credit report from annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, and check for any accounts or charges you don't recognize. You can also purchase a copy of your credit report by contacting any of the credit reporting agencies listed below.
- Consider placing a credit freeze. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name by restricting access to your credit report. Most creditors need to see your credit report before they approve a new account. If they can’t see your file, they may not extend the credit.
- If you place a freeze, you'll have to lift the freeze before you apply for a new credit card or cell phone - or any service that requires a credit check.
- If you decide not to place a credit freeze, at least consider placing a fraud alert. A fraud alert allows creditors to get a copy of your credit report as long as they take steps to verify your identity. A fraud alert will protect your credit from unverified access for at least 90 days.
- Try to file your taxes early - before a scammer can. Tax Identity Theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.
- Don't believe anyone who calls and says you'll be arrested unless you pay for taxes or debt - even if they have part or all of your Social Security number, or they say they're from the IRS.
- Continue to check your credit reports annually.
Equifax plans to notify people whose credit card information was exposed. If you receive a notice…
- Contact your bank or credit card company to cancel your card and request a new one.
- Review your transactions regularly to make sure nobody misused your card.If you find fraudulent charges, call the fraud department and get them removed.
- If you have automatic payments set up, update them with your new card number.
Going forward, it’s important to monitor your credit card and bank accounts closely. If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, you should contact the proper law enforcement authorities, including local law enforcement. You should consider contacting your state attorney general at www.naag.org/naag/attorneys-general/whos-my-ag.php and/or the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
Please contact Equifax for specific questions about the breach and its effect on your information. Equifax has set up a dedicated call center, which you can contact at 866-447-7559.