Equifax data breach scammers are in full force. Caution is the word of the day when deciding how to determine if you were compromised and what to do next.
If you have ever established credit you may very well be part of the 143 million Americans whose’s confidential personal information was exposed in a massive data breach at one of the three largest credit reporting agencies, Equifax.
From Equifax, the breach lasted approximately six weeks beginning in mid May. Hackers obtained names, Social Security number, birth dates, addresses, and other verifiable information for use with credit disputes including driver’s license numbers in some instances. Some credit card numbers were divulged and other information, close to 180,000 people compromised.
To confirm if your data was compromised visit the only sanctioned website by Equifax, www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. This is not the Equifax main website and be aware of’s poopers out there and carefully spell the website properly or link directly from Equifax.com.
Regardless of your information exposure, it is always a good thing to freeze your credit.
Freezing your credit has many advantages:
1. Even if someone has your data, they will be able to use it.
2. You can’t apply for spontaneous, or on-the-spot credit which benefits your impulse spending control.
3. Freezing your credit causes you to stop and think about the judicious use of your credit for medium and large size purchases. Think cars, recreational vehicles, and houses.
A couple of the credit repositories are now getting you one touch access to freeze and unfreeze your credit via smart phone mobile applications.
Credit is a very powerful tool in your wealth building toolbox.
It must be used judiciously and systematically because just like it can help you build wealth, it can also bury you in an inescapable debt with the same signature line.
For more great resources and to learn how to use credit strategically to build wealth and create financial freedom for you and your family, please visit our sister websites at keystoriches.com as well as our weekly radio show at unlockyourwealth.com.
