[NFBNJ] PSA. Were you impacted by the Equifax data breach? Find out and if so, be part of the settlement.

[joe ruffalo]

Greetings to all!
Received from DebbieAzzarone, a member in the Northeast Chapter of the NFB 
and editor of the Blind Vine, Vision Loss Alliance.
Please read and share with others.

Joe
**

Hello Viners,



Here's a public service announcement:



Read this article from the Patch. Inside it, there's a link in which you can
find out if your data was compromised, and instructions for filing a claim.

Look for this link.

"Equifax has a tool so people can check whether they were impacted by the
Equifax breach."



****************


Millions In NJ Exposed In Equifax Data Breach: How To File Claims


New Jersey received $6.36 million as part of the Equifax settlement. Find
out if you were impacted and how to file a claim.


By  <https://patch.com/users/tom-davis> Tom Davis, Patch Staff


Jul 26, 2019 8:29 am ET | Updated Jul 26, 2019 9:30 am ET


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(Shutterstock photo)

Millions of New Jerseyans 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.

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 more than
4 million New Jersey residents and more than 147 million Americans
nationwide.

"We all know that the troves of personal information housed in company
databases are targets for criminal hackers," said Attorney General Gurbir
Grewal. "So consumers should be able to feel confident that companies are
taking appropriate steps to safeguard their data. Equifax failed its
customers on a massive and unprecedented scale, and today it is paying the
price. I am proud that our new Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Section played
a leading role in bringing justice to the millions of New Jersey residents
who were affected."

Equifax agreed to pay a total of $175 million to states that were part of
the suit, including $6.36 million for New Jersey. An additional $425 million
was set aside for individual customer restitution.

These are some of the services Equifax will offer to those affected as part
of the restitution plan, according to the settlement agreement
<https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/172_3203_equifax_proposed_
order_7-22-19.pdf> :

*    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
<https://eligibility.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/en/eligibility>  and are
eligible for part of the settlement.

Those impacted can file a claim with Equifax
<https://www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/file-a-claim>  on the settlement
page.

There is also a portal through the Federal Trade Commission dedicated to the
Equifax data breach settlement
<https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/equifax-data-brea
ch-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
<https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/07/equifax-pay-575-mill
ion-part-settlement-ftc-cfpb-states-related> :

*    Get a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com
<https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action>  or by calling
877-322-8228.
*    Call the Equifax settlement administrator at 1-833-759-2982.
*    Take advantage of any free services being offered
<https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/equifax-data-brea
ch-settlement>  as a result of the breach.
*    Use two-factor authentication on your online accounts whenever
available.
*    Consider a credit freeze
<http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/IdentityTheft/freezing.aspx> .
*    Monitor your accounts.

With reporting by Elizabeth Janney, Patch

**********

Your Blind Vine Team



"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back
to you when you have forgotten the words." -Unknown



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