--- title: Top Precautions to Take Following the Equifax Hack description: Whether or not you were affected by this data breach, there are precautions to take now to monitor and protect your identity. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Breach-1.jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - 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[dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # Top Precautions to Take Following the Equifax Hack ** [MaryJo Kurtz](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/maryjo-kurtz) ** Sep 08, 2017 ![Breach-1.jpg](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Breach-1.jpg) On September 7, consumer reporting agency [Equifax](http://www.equifax.com) announced that hackers gained unauthorized access to its data files. As many as 143 million people, mostly in the United States, are potentially impacted by this breach. The company also identified criminal access to information involving residents of the United Kingdom and Canada, adding that no other countries were affected. According to [a videotaped statement from Equifax Chairman and CEO Richard F. Smith](https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com/), the criminal activity took place between mid-May and July. It was discovered on July 29, at which time Equifax hired a cyber security firm to investigate its scope. “The review found no evidence of unauthorized activity on our core credit reporting data bases,” he said. The compromised information includes Social Security numbers, addresses, birthdates and driver’s license data. In addition, Equifax is reporting that the credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 U.S. consumers and dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximate 182,000 U.S. consumers were accessed. The company said it will send direct mail notices to those whose credit card numbers or dispute documents were impacted. **Equifax Reaches Out to Consumers** In response to this incident, Equifax is offering all U.S. consumers a one-year consumer protection package at no cost. According to a statement from the company, the program is called TrustedID Premier and “includes 3-Bureau credit monitoring of Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reports; copies of Equifax credit reports; the ability to lock and unlock Equifax credit reports; identity theft insurance; and Internet scanning for Social Security numbers.” Registrations are accepted through November 21, 2017. To sign up for TrustedID Premier, you can visit [www.equifaxsecurity2017.com](http://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com), a website set up to address issues concerning this data breach. You can also use this designated website to search the Equifax data base to see if your personal information was compromised. You will be asked for your name and last six digits of your Social Security number, so make sure you are using a secure computer and an encrypted network connection, [advises the Federal Trade Commission](http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/09/equifax-data-breach-what-do).  **Top Precautions to Take Now** Whether or not you were affected by this data breach, there are precautions to take now to monitor and protect your identity. 1. **Check your credit report.** “We suggest that our members take the opportunity to review their credit reports regularly,” said David Sprague, President and CEO of Hanscom Federal Credit Union. “We offer our members a free credit score and report review, which we strongly recommend that they take advantage of. Members can get more information about and schedule this review by visiting hfcu.org/score.” 2. **Monitor your credit card statement.** Look for any unauthorized charges, regardless of how small they are. It is easy to overlook a small charge from a retailer that you frequent, but it is important to cross-check each transaction. 3. **Stay on top of your bank accounts.** Set a time each day to review your accounts. The transactions of the past day will still be fresh in your mind. Make it easy by [signing up for Online Access and adding the Hanscom FCU app](https://www.hfcu.org/account-access/online-banking.html) to your phone. 4. **Set up Hanscom Federal Credit Union account alerts.** When using Online Access, you will see Alerts and Security options. Take time to set up alerts to notify you if your account hits a specified balance, there is a transaction on your account, your security alert preferences are changed, a new user is created, the forgot password process is completed, or a new computer browser is identified. [Learn more here](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-account-alerts-protect-against-fraud). 5. **Add a fraud alert to your credit file.** This type of alert warns credit issuers that your personal data might have been stolen so that all efforts will be used to verify your identity before opening credit in your name. An Initial Alert lasts 90 to 180 days. An Extended Alert can last seven years. [Get details about setting up credit report fraud alerts here](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-can-i-set-up-a-fraud-alert-on-my-credit-report). Keep in mind that this will only draw caution if someone tries to open a new account in your name. It will not protect you from unauthorized use of existing accounts. 6. **File your taxes early.** Scammers may try to use your Social Security number to claim a tax refund. Beat them to it by filing your return promptly. Finally, follow the [Hanscom Federal Credit Union blog](https://go.hfcu.org/blog?_ga=2.251157894.1437136828.1541537249-1353773249.1519313907), [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/hanscomfcu) and [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/hanscomfederalcreditunion) for financial tips, security advice and news you need to protect your money and your identity.   *Other Hanscom Federal Credit Union blogs that may interest you:* *[Five Ways We Keep Our Online Secure](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-ways-secure-online-access)* *[29 Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/security)* *[How Account Alerts Protect Against Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-account-alerts-protect-against-fraud)* *[How Can I Set Up a Fraud Alert on My Credit Report](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-can-i-set-up-a-fraud-alert-on-my-credit-report)* ** [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) [** What to Know About Your Corporate Credit Card ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-to-know-about-your-corporate-credit-card) [** Used Car Shopping: How to Spot a Previously-Flooded Vehicle ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/used-car-shopping-how-to-spot-a-previously-flooded-vehicle) ### About Author ![MaryJo Kurtz](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/file-2383552200-png/Blog_Authors/MaryJo_Kurtz.png) MaryJo Kurtz Related Posts [![Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16)-2.png) Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/protect-your-accounts-from-the-rise-of-check-fraud) [![How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(1)-1.png) How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays) [![How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px-1.png) How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/ai-voice-cloning-scam) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/top-precautions-to-take-following-the-equifax-hack/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/top-precautions-to-take-following-the-equifax-hack/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/top-precautions-to-take-following-the-equifax-hack/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. 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Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://X.com/HanscomFCU The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### http://www.youtube.com/c/HanscomFederalCreditUnion The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "MaryJo Kurtz" }, "dateModified" : "March 7, 2022, 4:08:07 PM", "datePublished" : "2017-09-08 17:21:43", "description" : "Whether or not you were affected by this data breach, there are precautions to take now to monitor and protect your identity. 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