Submission + - Ask Slashdot: What's a practical response to the Equifax breach? 9
AdamStarks writes: What steps can the average joe take to protect their identity? Accepting Equifax's help forfeits your right to sue; it's the same with applying for protection at TransUnion (not sure about Experian). Extra services at those companies also cost money, but that's putting even more of your data in their hands, and it's not clear whether the protection/help they provide is worth it (leaving aside not wanting to reward bad behavior).
locks on your credit with all three credit firms (Score:1)
My ex had her SS stolen a few years ago, and she signed up for all three credit services (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). She put locks on her credit at all three so, even though she has been contacted by Equifax as one of the people effected by the recent hack), she's TOTALLY protected. No-one can take out loans in her name, change any of her contact information, access her bank accounts, transfer property ownership, etc. etc.
It's not free, but if it's the cost of avoiding my identity theft, then it's a
Re: (Score:2)
The problem is that everyone in the US assumes that providing the social security number proves your identity instead of realizing that the SS number is only the key to the information needed to prove your identity.
The day that proper ID protocol is asserted then it's a lot harder for ID thieves.
The penalty for ID theft is also way too low.
Notify the IRS and get a IP PIN... (Score:1)
When I applied for unemployment benefits in 2014, I discovered that a C RAMOS was working under my Social Security number. I then notified the unemployment office and Social Security Administration of the discrepancy. A month later I got I letter from the IRS to join their Identity Protection PIN [irs.gov] program. I did. So every December I get a new IP PIN from the IRS to file my tax return. Without the IP PIN, no one else can fraudulently file my tax return.
Well (Score:2)