3M Maryland Residents May Have Had Data Stolen, Equifax Response Slammed

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Attorney General's Office is warning that an estimated three million Maryland residents might have been affected by the recent Equifax cybersecurity hacking incident, which compromised sensitive personal and financial information of more than 143 million people nationwide.

Information accessed through the breach of Equifax includes names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. Equifax’s computerized data files were compromised between mid-May and July of this year, the AG's office said.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh sent a letter last week to Equifax CEO Richard F. Smith, addressing the company's actions in the wake of its data breach.

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“I am extremely concerned that a company that is in the business of collecting and maintaining private information, and providing credit monitoring and identity theft protection for consumers, exposed the social security numbers and other personal information of 143 million Americans," Frosh wrote according to a release from his office. "I want to know exactly how that happened, but more immediately, I am concerned about the confusion that you have caused for consumers."

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Equifax established a dedicated website, equifaxsecurity2017.com, so people can check to see if their personal information was exposed. From a secure computer or on an encrypted network connection, visit the site, click the “potential impact” tab and enter your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number.

Frosh criticized Equifax for what he termed its "confusing messaging" to consumers, who initially were steered toward paid products rather than an offer for free credit monitoring. Frosh's letter noted that those who located the free offer were hesitant or unwilling to sign up for it due to unacceptable terms, some of which have since been deleted. Others never saw the terms of use, because they were hidden. Consumers who enrolled in the free program were first greeted with the words "Thank You," which could have erroneously led some to believe they had completed the signup process.

According to Frosh, the company's actions "have the capacity to mislead consumers and may violate the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.”

The Attorney General's office encourages consumers to take these steps:

Check your credit reports from all three of the major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Reports can be obtained for FREE by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Unrecognizable accounts or activity could indicate identity theft.

Monitor your financial accounts and statements for unauthorized activity. Many financial institutions offer additional layers of protection. It is okay to call your bank to ask if there are any additional steps you can take to protect your account.

Consider signing up for the free credit monitoring service from Equifax. This service is designed to notify you of any changes to your credit reports. Equifax has created a dedicated website to assist consumers.

Consider placing a credit freeze at all three credit reporting agencies. A credit freeze is extremely effective at preventing identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name without your consent. A credit freeze won’t prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts, such as debit and credit cards. Parents or guardians of minors may also place a credit freeze on their child's behalf.

Equifax is also offering impacted consumers a free year of credit monitoring as well as other services. Those who are interested must enroll on a date specified by Equifax on its site.

Equifax has established a dedicated call center and can be reached at 866-447-7559. The call center is open every day (including weekends) from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern time.
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