However, if you click on the link, you could be downloading malicious software on your computer that would allow the crook to hijack your system or record your keystrokes. The email may urge you to click on a link or open a PDF file to check your account or verify a transaction. These use your real data - the type of data compromised in the Equifax breach - to mimic legitimate communication from your bank or broker. Spear-phishing cons are far more sophisticated. Phishing scams are often unsophisticated email and phone cons aimed at getting you to reveal privy data, such as your Social Security number. The data made available through the Equifax breach is also likely to spur a wave of so-called "spear-phishing" scams that could put more than your credit at risk. states and territories to settle allegations that the credit reporting companys failed to take reasonable steps to secure its network. Spear-phishing to crack your bank and brokerage accounts agreed to pay at least 575 million, and potentially up to 700 million, as part of a global settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and 50 U.S. However, some people are always going to be challenging, even in regards to big brands. has reached a proposed settlement that stands to cost the financial giant at least 575 million and spells relief for U.S. This means the business is, indeed, Safe. After a massive 2017 data breach, Equifax Inc. As a super high authority website that earned its reputation online a long time ago, it is no surprise that our VLDTR tool came up with a 100 rating. If you do not get a prompt response from the IRS, call the Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 80 for assistance. So the review is short but to the point. You may be forced to file your tax returns on paper in the meantime. Also complete IRS form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit. What action should you take? File a police report and a fraud report with the FTC Identity Theft Hotline (87). And take immediate action if you are informed that more than one return was filed in your name that you owe additional tax or that IRS records indicate that you earned more than the amount of wage you reported. If your information was compromised in the data breach, make a point of filing your annual tax return promptly. While the agency has a task force dedicated to these cons, they are complex and difficult to solve, often taking more than four months to investigate, according to the agency. Victims often get the first inkling of a problem when they file their annual tax returns and the IRS notifies them that another return has already been filed and their refund has been claimed. The agency cites data breaches as one of the main ways that con artists get the relevant information to pull off tax identity theft. These scams involve criminals getting victims' names, addresses and Social Security numbers to file fraudulent tax refund claims. consumers who filed claims in the Equifax Data Breach Settlement and qualified for benefits began receiving settlement payments on Decemfrom a courtappointed a hrefhtt. The Internal Revenue Service has been fighting tax identity theft for years. FYI The court approved the Equifax breach settlement on January 13. Tax identity theft that could rob you of your IRS refund Even if this tool indicates your data was spared, you can sign up for free credit monitoring for a year and Equifax will also waive any costs entailed in freezing your credit report, if you act within the next two months. Information about the Equifax breach, including a simple tool to tell you whether the company believes your data was accessed in the breach, can be found on the company's web site. Of course, if your data wasn't part of the Equifax attack, giving it out over the phone gives you a chance to join your friends and neighbors in having your data exposed on the dark web. With that in mind, proceed with caution if you receive a call, text or email related to this settlement.Providing information to a new con artist over the phone simply increases the chance that you'll be victimized. Only the settlement agency will reach out to remind you to file a claim. Scammers are making calls and sending texts or emails to try to get your personal information. Refer to the FTC’s website for claim information, including officially approved links: Scam Calls, Texts, and Emails Scammers are seizing this opportunity to establish fake settlement sites.ĭon’t follow email links or web search results. The Equifax Breach, and subsequent settlement, has received a lot of media attention.
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