Updated 9-11-17
The aftermath of the Equifax hack is likely starting to settle in. Affecting 143 million Americans, this colossal security breach is not just a sign of the times for those directly impacted, but a flag for the future.
In a cybercriminal’s hands, the stolen information—which included 209,000 credit card numbers, 182,000 documents containing personal information, plus names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and a yet-to-be-determined number of driver's license numbers—can be used to open a new line of credit, a bank account, and even a driver’s license in your name. You could get struck with speeding tickets, sideswiped by someone stealing your tax refund, or hit with the reality that you suddenly have no access to your own prescription drugs.
Recovering from identity theft usually takes months, sometimes years. And the one responsible for cleaning up this mess? It’s you, and only you. And best of luck getting a new cell phone, a student loan, a car, or a mortgage in the meantime.
Since Equifax waited six weeks to tell the world about the breach, the hackers got a six-week jump to take nefarious action. Whether or not you were impacted by the hack, here are our top four suggestions on what you can do now, if you haven’t already:
Finally, as always, stay hyper-vigilant about any suspicious activity, from online phishing attempts, scam emails, and even any emails related to this breach. Chances are cybercriminals are already scheming to use this news as a way to bait even more victims by claiming to “help” during this unfortunate time. Question everything, and you’ll stay one step ahead.
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Here’s what we know: consumer credit report giant Equifax announced today that hackers have exploited a vulnerability in the Equifax website, gaining access to names, addresses, birth dates, social security numbers, and in some cases, driver’s license info. This breach is among the largest on record in the U.S., affecting 44% of the entire population.