PRIVACY PROTECTION – PART 1:

The Equifax data breach impacted nearly 148 million Americans. Check if you were impacted: www.equifaxsecurity2017.com

Credit Reporting Bureaus:

One of the strongest deterrents to identity theft is to freeze your credit reports with all four reporting bureaus:

1. Equifax (800) 525-6285; To freeze your credit report: (800) 685-1111

P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374

1. Experian (888) 397-3742; To freeze your credit report: (888) 397-3742

P.O. Box 9530 Allen, TX 75013

1. TransUnion (800) 680-7289; To freeze your credit report: (888) 909-8872

P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016

1. Innovis (800) 540-2505; To freeze your credit report: (800) 540-2505

P.O. Box 1640 Pittsburgh, PA 15230

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A credit freeze is a total lockdown of new account activity in your name. This requires unfreezing before you can open any accounts. Credit freeze laws vary by state. To check yours, go to your state attorney general website and search for “credit report freeze.”  An alternative can be credit monitoring and fraud alert with Lifelock.

If you have been a victim of any fraudulent activity, take the following actions:

1. File a police report
2. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

        www.IDTHEFT.gov and www.FTC.gov/idtheft

1. Go to https://www.irs.gov/vac/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft
2. Report internet fraud: www.ic3.gov

Important numbers:

FBI: 202-324-3000

FTC: 877-IDTHEFT

IRS: 800-829-0433

Postal Inspection Service: 877-876-2455

Social Security: 800-269-0271