Equifax hack: Has your data been hacked? Here’s what you should do

Hackers have stolen more than 143 million Social Security numbers and other data from credit giant Equifax in Atlanta.

The company said Thursday that “criminals” exploited a U.S. website application to access files between mid-May and July of this year.

Equifax has set up the page equifaxsecurity2017.com so consumers can check if their data was stolen.

Guy Ball of Tustin said he was able to enter his information at the Equifax page but the company did not provide an answer as to whether his Social Security number had been hacked. All it did, he wrote via email, was “give you a place in line to get a monitoring service.”

The Equifax hack adds to massive data breaches at Anthem, JPMorgan, Sony Pictures, Target and Home Depot in recent years.

Here’s what you can do if your information was stolen.

• Consider putting a full freeze on your credit. This blocks any business from checking your credit to open a new account, so it’s a stronger measure than a credit alert. BUT you should weigh that against the hassle of notifying credit agencies to lift the freeze — which can take a few days — every time you apply for a loan, open a new account or even sign up for utility service.
• Check your credit card bill for any irregularities. Don’t overlook charges, no matter how small. Thieves typically test a credit account by charging smaller amounts, usually under $10, to see if you notice. If you don’t, they may charge larger amounts later.

Someone stole my identity. What now?

• Contact the credit issuer to dispute fraudulent charges and have the bogus account closed.
• Request your credit report and ask the reporting agencies to remove bogus accounts or any incorrect information from your record.
• Submit a report through the FTC website. Click the “privacy & identity” tab, which will help you create an affidavit to show creditors.
• Keep copies of all reports and correspondence. Use certified mail to get delivery receipts, and keep notes on every phone call.

How to avoid more hacks

• After a hack, scammers may try to use the stolen data to trick you into giving up more personal information. They can use that info to steal money in your accounts or open new credit card.
• Don’t click on any links from emails. Bad software could be downloaded to your computer that can steal account passwords.
• You might get letters in the mail saying you won a tablet or vacation and give you a phone number to call. Don’t do it. It’s likely a ploy to gather more information from you.
• Hang up the phone if you get a call asking for account numbers or other information. Scammers may also send texts, so don’t click on any links from numbers you don’t know.