With news of a data breach at Equifax affecting millions of consumers nationwide, Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, offers tips consumers can use to help protect themselves moving forward.
A breach of this nature is concerning because of the amount of personal information that has been stolen – not only specific account information, but also personal information that includes Social Security numbers, drivers’ license numbers, birth dates and credit card information.
This information is sold on the black market and is used in coming months and years to create fictitious accounts in the names of those affected.
Captain John Alfred, head of the Rhode Island State Police Joint Cyber Crimes Task Force, said anyone affected by identity theft should consider:
Immediately taking advantage of credit monitoring services
Activating a credit freeze to restrict access to your credit report
Monitoring your credit report for any spurious or incorrect information (Federal law allows a free report every 12 months, but it’s best to check at least every six months.)
Here are other steps you can take:
Keep a close eye on your finances. Check your bank and credit card statements for signs of fraudulent activity. If you notice anything suspicious, notify the bank or credit card company immediately.
Be sure to change the password on all accounts that may be impacted by the breach – including bank accounts and those with other financial institutions, such as credit card companies.
File your taxes early to avoid a scammer filing your taxes before you do.
Unfortunately, no one can prevent identity theft, Captain Alfred said. However, it’s important to remain vigilant when it comes to monitoring your financial accounts to limit the potential adverse impact.
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