September 19, 2017

On September 7th, Equifax reported a cybersecurity breach that could potentially impact over 143 million people whose personal and account information is stored in Equifax databases. In addition, credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 consumers and dispute documents for approximately 182,000 consumers were accessed. Information accessed may have included names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses and driver license numbers.

Steps to Protect Your Information:

  • Visit Equifax's website, www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. Here you can find out if your information was exposed. Whether or not your information was exposed, U.S. consumers can get a year of free credit monitoring and other services.
  • Check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion --- for free --- by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you don't recognize could indicate identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to find out what to do.
  • Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won't prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. If you place a freeze, you will need to remember to release the freeze if you apply for credit at a future time.
  • Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for charges you don't recognize.
  • If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. A fraud alert warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they should verify that anyone seeking credit in your name is really you.
  • File your taxes early --- as soon as you have the tax information you need, before a scammer can. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.

Of course, these options are not guaranteed to protect you from identity theft, but following these steps should help reduce the risk of such an event.

Please visit www.EquifaxSecurity2017.com for more information or contact your local LNB branch regarding the Equifax Data Breach. Representatives will be available to assist in discovering if your information has been exposed, review account activity, and answer any additional questions or concerns you may have.

This information has been provided by the Federal Trade Commission.