1.5 Million In CT Exposed To Equifax Data Breach: How To Check

HARTFORD, CT — Around 1.5 million Connecticut residents are among those eligible for restitution from the $700 million settlement over the Equifax security breach. The credit reporting company has opened an online portal where impacted consumers can file claims online ranging from long-term credit monitoring services to $20,000 cash payments.

A multi-state investigation into what is one of the largest breaches ever of consumer data showed that the sensitive information of an estimated 56 percent of adults was compromised.
Investigators found that Equifax failed to patch a vulnerability in its security monitoring system that went undetected for 76 days in 2017. The breach exposed the Social Security numbers, names, dates of birth, addresses, credit card numbers and/or driver's license numbers of around 1.5 million Connecticut residents and more than 147 million Americans nationwide.

"Equifax ignored its security obligations and exposed the personal information of half of the American people,” said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. “This settlement—the largest data breach enforcement action in history-- sends a clear message that failure to implement reasonable security measures will not be tolerated and that cybersecurity cannot be overlooked.”

Equifax agreed to pay a total of $175 million to states that were part of the suit, including $4.785 million for Connecticut. An additional $425 million was set aside for individual customer restitution.

“Consumers and businesses rely on credit reporting agencies to make financial decisions in today’s marketplace. There’s almost no way for us not to interact with them” said Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, “That’s why it’s so important that they not only have appropriate security protocols in place, but set an example that goes above and beyond what we would expect of any business. I hope that this settlement paints a clear picture of what security standards are expected, and what happens when they aren’t in place.”

These are some of the services Equifax will offer to those affected as part of the restitution plan, according to the settlement agreement:

• Free credit-monitoring services for 10 years to those impacted. Those who already have credit-monitoring may apply for a $125 credit.
• Cash payments up to $20,000.
• Seven years of identity-restoration services.

The settlement outlines measures Equifax must take to protect personal data, including weekly security checks and reports as well as studying ways to reduce reliance on Social Security numbers. It must also handle the millions of claims filed by affected customers.

What To Do If Impacted By The Equifax Breach

Equifax has a tool so people can check whether they were impacted by the Equifax breach and are eligible for part of the settlement.
Those impacted can file a claim with Equifax on the settlement page.
There is also a portal through the Federal Trade Commission dedicated to the Equifax data breach settlement, where the claims page became active Wednesday, July 24.

How To Protect Your Personal Information

These steps can help protect your information, according to the Federal Trade Commission:

• Get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.
• Call the Equifax settlement administrator at 1-833-759-2982.
• Take advantage of any free services being offered as a result of the breach.
• Use two-factor authentication on your online accounts whenever available.
• Consider a credit freeze.
• Monitor your accounts.

With reporting by Elizabeth Janney, Patch