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TL;DR: Equifax phone lines unhelpful for anything. Suggestion, from https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/6yv4gb/official_mega_thread_recent_equifa

TL;DR: Equifax phone lines unhelpful for anything. Suggestion, from https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/6yv4gb/official_mega_thread_recent_equifax_security/dmqdld2/ https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/6yv4gb/off... If you do nothing else, place an initial 90 day fraud alert on your file. This is free and will require lenders to contact you if someone (including yourself) tries to apply for credit. Government info. You only have to do this with one bureau in order for the alert to be placed on all three, and it should take less than 5 minutes: Equifax https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAle... Experian https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html Transunion https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resource/place-fraud-alert https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resource/place-fraud...

g051051 9y ago
Yeah, I just tried to add this via the Equifax link, entered all of my info, and got an instant "the system is down" error. Edit: Experian displays a grey screen that says "Loading" Edit: TransUnion requires I set up an account.
- lightbyte 9y ago
  For what it's worth, the Equifax link is now working and I was able to place the alert. Experian still is displaying the grey "Loading" page.
  - jmcgough 9y ago
    I'm having issues with it, seems to be working intermittently.
  - craftyguy 9y ago
    Equifax link isn't working for me.. After filling in the form and hitting submit, I am presented with a very convenient (for them: Our system is currently unavailable We are currently unable to add initial 90 day fraud alert or active duty alert to credit file online. Please try again later or click here to print a request form. If you need to install Adobe Acrobat click here
    - theEXTORTCIST 9y ago
      plot twist: active breach investigation on going with all 3 majors
- m3rc 9y ago
  TransUnion broke on the second to last step of setting up an account for me. "Technical difficulties" message.
- craftyguy 9y ago
  Experian ultimately directs you to this form, which you have to print out, fill in, and snail mail: https://www.experian.com/fraud/form-extended-fraud-victim-alert.html https://www.experian.com/fraud/form-extended-fraud-victim-al...
- rrauenza 9y ago
  I got the error as well. Refreshing resubmitted the form and eventually worked.
MJR 9y ago
Hopefully saving people some time - Equifax is "unable to process" online requests - which they tell you after your submit the form. And Transunion's website for fraud alerts is currently "temporarily unavailable".
- lightbyte 9y ago
  Equifax processed my request OK and gave me a confirmation #. I'd suggest trying again.
  - deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
  - jimktrains2 9y ago
    Equifax gave me "Our system is currently unavailable".
- patcheudor 9y ago
  At least thanks to this, there's no need to even check and see if their mobile app still works: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/settling-score-taking-down-equifax-mobile-application-jerry-decime/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/settling-score-taking-down-eq...
post_break 9y ago
Transunion isn't working. The automated phone line sends you to a disconnected number. Enabling a freeze online with them does not work and 404's.
- rhizome 9y ago
  It may be time to start calling Senators.
  - bigmattystyles 9y ago
    Good one!
- TaylorGood 9y ago
  Same issue after entering personal info on application. These credit agencies have shown how archaic they're operating..
yadongwen 9y ago
None of the 3 links work for me. How difficult to save data from a form? I'm appalled by the technical capabilities of these crucial service providers..
- heifer2822 9y ago
  Yeah, I tried that advice yesterday and none of the links work. They just give some error after you fill them out.
- erentz 9y ago
  They very clearly don't want these forms to work. All three fail for me too. Equifax fails with "Additional Information Required" and gives me a PDF form to mail in that has the exact same fields that I've already provided. Experian is stuck on a loading screen. And Transunion says it's unable to process my request based on the information provided.
- jalayir 9y ago
  Equifax worked, the other two failed for me
rrauenza 9y ago
So ... what happens if I list myself as Active Duty? They also have a 7 year extended plan. http://www.equifax.com/credit/fraud-alerts/& http://www.equifax.com/credit/fraud-alerts/& 3 Main Types of Alerts and Length of Effectiveness: Initial Fraud Alert: 90 days Active Duty Alert: 1 year Extended Fraud Alert: 7 years Extended Fraud Alert Request Form To place an extended fraud alert on your credit file please send to Equifax – via Fax or US Mail - a valid police report, law enforcement agency report, or US Postal service report that allege mail theft. In addition, please provide a photocopy of one item from each of the categories below in order to verify your identification and address. The item you select from the identity category must contain your Social Security number and the item you select from the address category must contain your current mailing address. Why do I need a police report when I have every major newspaper supporting my case?
- bdibs 9y ago
  Active Duty means Active Duty in the military, so I'm assuming they'd require some documentation.
  - pmarreck 9y ago
    We're learning that making reasonable assumptions about Equifax is a shot in the dark at best. I wouldn't assume a damn thing with them at this point
  - rrauenza 9y ago
    I doubt it. On the other hand, the US Military does not take lightly misrepresentation of serving...
  - Animats 9y ago
    That reflects some provisions of the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, which limits what debt collectors and landlords can do when someone is called to serve. Interest rates on loans are reduced to 6%. Debt collection efforts are restricted. That law is from 1940, and is written with the assumption that creditors, too, must support the war effort.
  - 9y ago
leeoniya 9y ago
if none of us sign up for this and then flood the 3 CRAs with real identity fraud incidents, then perhaps they will take things more seriously in the future.
pkulak 9y ago
Just 90 days? I'd rather freeze my credit. I already bought a house and a car. I'm done with needing credit for the foreseeable future. Freezing all 4 accounts (including Innovis, which actually seems like the most competent of the bunch) is the ticket for me. https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo... https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/securityFreeze/landingPage.jsp https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/securityFreeze/landingPage.... https://www.innovis.com/securityFreeze/index https://www.innovis.com/securityFreeze/index
- vlunkr 9y ago
  They did say "if nothing else". Implying that you should do more. I got the 90 alert, it takes literally 2 minutes so it's a great first step.
  - rrauenza 9y ago
    Now we just need a service like letsencrypt and a cron job that just resubmits that form every 60 days.
    - tonyztan 9y ago
      That would be an interesting idea... Except then the service provider would essentially have a database of names, SSNs, and addresses... I think we all know what could happen next. :(
- sean2 9y ago
  This is great advice and appears to be a good thing to do, but I just feel weird giving equifax money to protect me from fallout of their data breach. It feels like I'm rewarding them for losing my data. I bet millions of Americans, who are suddenly aware of their vulnerability to credit fraud and learning about these options, are paying for requests and freezes.
  - 9y ago
NearAP 9y ago
I was able to setup a 90 day alert with Transunion using the link you provided. It was a breeze to do so. However I noticed that even though I was already signed in to Transunion website, I had to sign in again. The other thing I found confusing was that the website for doing this was different from the core Transunion website which was also different for Transunion's TrueIdentity website. Overall, it's simply been confusing trying to figure out what steps to take and where/how to do them to abate negative effects of this data breach. It feels 'weird'/frustrating spending this amount of time/effort to fix issues which are due to someone else's laxity and when it seems like the responsible party is not doing as much but then I guess this is one sure and hard way to learn the lesson - you can't control what happens to you but you can control how you react to things.
okreallywtf 9y ago
I was only able to do transunion and only because I created an account, the others failed numerous times. I hate to do another account giving my information out again but since its likely already compromised whats the worst that could happen?
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
williw 9y ago
Great! Got a "Our system is currently unavailable" for Equifax. Ridiculous.
- KGIII 9y ago
  I am not justifying this, but I suspect they are putting out fires and being hammered with loads of traffic. I kinda feel sorry for the people in the trenches who had nothing to do with this. So much overtime and stress. Anyhow, this doesn't excuse them, nor absolve them. I'm not sure if I'd have the moral fortitude to quit, where I just a peon there.
CrendKing 9y ago
If I'm a criminal who is going to take advantage of the hacked data, and I know everybody is rushing to do the 90 day fraud alert, I'll wait for 90 days before I take action. It is better to think from THEIR angle.

g051051 9y ago

Yeah, I just tried to add this via the Equifax link, entered all of my info, and got an instant "the system is down" error. Edit: Experian displays a grey screen that says "Loading" Edit: TransUnion requires I set up an account.

lightbyte 9y ago
For what it's worth, the Equifax link is now working and I was able to place the alert. Experian still is displaying the grey "Loading" page.
- jmcgough 9y ago
  I'm having issues with it, seems to be working intermittently.
- craftyguy 9y ago
  Equifax link isn't working for me.. After filling in the form and hitting submit, I am presented with a very convenient (for them: Our system is currently unavailable We are currently unable to add initial 90 day fraud alert or active duty alert to credit file online. Please try again later or click here to print a request form. If you need to install Adobe Acrobat click here
  - theEXTORTCIST 9y ago
    plot twist: active breach investigation on going with all 3 majors
m3rc 9y ago
TransUnion broke on the second to last step of setting up an account for me. "Technical difficulties" message.
craftyguy 9y ago
Experian ultimately directs you to this form, which you have to print out, fill in, and snail mail: https://www.experian.com/fraud/form-extended-fraud-victim-alert.html https://www.experian.com/fraud/form-extended-fraud-victim-al...
rrauenza 9y ago
I got the error as well. Refreshing resubmitted the form and eventually worked.

MJR 9y ago

Hopefully saving people some time - Equifax is "unable to process" online requests - which they tell you after your submit the form. And Transunion's website for fraud alerts is currently "temporarily unavailable".

lightbyte 9y ago
Equifax processed my request OK and gave me a confirmation #. I'd suggest trying again.
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
- jimktrains2 9y ago
  Equifax gave me "Our system is currently unavailable".
patcheudor 9y ago
At least thanks to this, there's no need to even check and see if their mobile app still works: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/settling-score-taking-down-equifax-mobile-application-jerry-decime/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/settling-score-taking-down-eq...

post_break 9y ago

Transunion isn't working. The automated phone line sends you to a disconnected number. Enabling a freeze online with them does not work and 404's.

rhizome 9y ago
It may be time to start calling Senators.
- bigmattystyles 9y ago
  Good one!
TaylorGood 9y ago
Same issue after entering personal info on application. These credit agencies have shown how archaic they're operating..

yadongwen 9y ago

None of the 3 links work for me. How difficult to save data from a form? I'm appalled by the technical capabilities of these crucial service providers..

heifer2822 9y ago
Yeah, I tried that advice yesterday and none of the links work. They just give some error after you fill them out.
erentz 9y ago
They very clearly don't want these forms to work. All three fail for me too. Equifax fails with "Additional Information Required" and gives me a PDF form to mail in that has the exact same fields that I've already provided. Experian is stuck on a loading screen. And Transunion says it's unable to process my request based on the information provided.
jalayir 9y ago
Equifax worked, the other two failed for me

rrauenza 9y ago

So ... what happens if I list myself as Active Duty? They also have a 7 year extended plan. http://www.equifax.com/credit/fraud-alerts/& http://www.equifax.com/credit/fraud-alerts/& 3 Main Types of Alerts and Length of Effectiveness: Initial Fraud Alert: 90 days Active Duty Alert: 1 year Extended Fraud Alert: 7 years Extended Fraud Alert Request Form To place an extended fraud alert on your credit file please send to Equifax – via Fax or US Mail - a valid police report, law enforcement agency report, or US Postal service report that allege mail theft. In addition, please provide a photocopy of one item from each of the categories below in order to verify your identification and address. The item you select from the identity category must contain your Social Security number and the item you select from the address category must contain your current mailing address. Why do I need a police report when I have every major newspaper supporting my case?

bdibs 9y ago
Active Duty means Active Duty in the military, so I'm assuming they'd require some documentation.
- pmarreck 9y ago
  We're learning that making reasonable assumptions about Equifax is a shot in the dark at best. I wouldn't assume a damn thing with them at this point
- rrauenza 9y ago
  I doubt it. On the other hand, the US Military does not take lightly misrepresentation of serving...
- Animats 9y ago
  That reflects some provisions of the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, which limits what debt collectors and landlords can do when someone is called to serve. Interest rates on loans are reduced to 6%. Debt collection efforts are restricted. That law is from 1940, and is written with the assumption that creditors, too, must support the war effort.
- 9y ago

leeoniya 9y ago

if none of us sign up for this and then flood the 3 CRAs with real identity fraud incidents, then perhaps they will take things more seriously in the future.

pkulak 9y ago

Just 90 days? I'd rather freeze my credit. I already bought a house and a car. I'm done with needing credit for the foreseeable future. Freezing all 4 accounts (including Innovis, which actually seems like the most competent of the bunch) is the ticket for me. https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze https://www.experian.com/ncaconline/freeze https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo... https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/securityFreeze/landingPage.jsp https://freeze.transunion.com/sf/securityFreeze/landingPage.... https://www.innovis.com/securityFreeze/index https://www.innovis.com/securityFreeze/index

vlunkr 9y ago
They did say "if nothing else". Implying that you should do more. I got the 90 alert, it takes literally 2 minutes so it's a great first step.
- rrauenza 9y ago
  Now we just need a service like letsencrypt and a cron job that just resubmits that form every 60 days.
  - tonyztan 9y ago
    That would be an interesting idea... Except then the service provider would essentially have a database of names, SSNs, and addresses... I think we all know what could happen next. :(
sean2 9y ago
This is great advice and appears to be a good thing to do, but I just feel weird giving equifax money to protect me from fallout of their data breach. It feels like I'm rewarding them for losing my data. I bet millions of Americans, who are suddenly aware of their vulnerability to credit fraud and learning about these options, are paying for requests and freezes.
- 9y ago

NearAP 9y ago

I was able to setup a 90 day alert with Transunion using the link you provided. It was a breeze to do so. However I noticed that even though I was already signed in to Transunion website, I had to sign in again. The other thing I found confusing was that the website for doing this was different from the core Transunion website which was also different for Transunion's TrueIdentity website. Overall, it's simply been confusing trying to figure out what steps to take and where/how to do them to abate negative effects of this data breach. It feels 'weird'/frustrating spending this amount of time/effort to fix issues which are due to someone else's laxity and when it seems like the responsible party is not doing as much but then I guess this is one sure and hard way to learn the lesson - you can't control what happens to you but you can control how you react to things.

okreallywtf 9y ago

I was only able to do transunion and only because I created an account, the others failed numerous times. I hate to do another account giving my information out again but since its likely already compromised whats the worst that could happen?

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

williw 9y ago

Great! Got a "Our system is currently unavailable" for Equifax. Ridiculous.

KGIII 9y ago
I am not justifying this, but I suspect they are putting out fires and being hammered with loads of traffic. I kinda feel sorry for the people in the trenches who had nothing to do with this. So much overtime and stress. Anyhow, this doesn't excuse them, nor absolve them. I'm not sure if I'd have the moral fortitude to quit, where I just a peon there.

CrendKing 9y ago

If I'm a criminal who is going to take advantage of the hacked data, and I know everybody is rushing to do the 90 day fraud alert, I'll wait for 90 days before I take action. It is better to think from THEIR angle.