Generally, we use the information to fulfill your requests to us and to provide you information about products and services that may be of interest to you. For security purposes, only the last 4 digits of your Social Security number are included in written correspondence from Equifax.
The credit bureaus ask for your Social Security number and other information in order to identify you and avoid sending your credit report to the wrong person. It is okay to give this information to the credit bureau that you call.
A Social Security number (SSN) is helpful when compiling your credit history because it is the only identifier uniquely assigned to each U.S. consumer. Experian will ask for it when you order your own credit report to help ensure that we provide you a complete and accurate report.
Most of the time, it's OK to say no to schools, doctor's offices, sports clubs and many other organizations that may ask for this nine-digit identifier. In fact, safeguarding SSNs is a key first step to protecting against identity theft and other fraud.
Though it's important to protect your Social Security number, there are legitimate reasons for sharing those nine digits. "Any company that you're applying to for a loan or line of credit needs your number," Paige Hanson, cyber safety education chief at NortonLifeLock, said in an interview.
Your Social Security number is the key.
It is the key to a lot of your personal information. With your name and SSN, an identity thief could open new credit and bank accounts, rent an apartment, or even get a job.
Equifax is committed to being an industry leader in security. That's why we've undergone a multi-year transformation of our cybersecurity capabilities, backed by a $1.5 billion investment in security and technology.
If you do not have a Social Security number, credit bureaus can access your credit history using the other identifiers like your name, date of birth, address, and employment history.
Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
Without your Social Security Number, the quality and accuracy of your credit history could be compromised. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act permits TransUnion to maintain personal and credit information in our records.
You can call the SSA to lock your SSN. Contact them at 1-800-772-1213, and make sure you have additional proof of your identity when you speak to them. Additional forms of identification could include a driver's license or passport.
That's why you should freeze your credit files: It's a free and easy way to protect yourself from identity theft and to keep hackers and scammers out of your bank account. And while this latest breach isn't an urgent concern, big security scares like this tend to attract scammers who prey on the anxious.
Identifying information: Your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. Credit account information: This is reported to Equifax by your lenders and creditors and includes information about each account and its payment history.
In September of 2017, Equifax announced a data breach that exposed the personal information of 147 million people. The company has agreed to a global settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and 50 U.S. states and territories.
On Sept. 7, 2017, the Equifax credit bureau publicly revealed its computer networks had suffered a data leak that exposed the personal information of 143 million consumers, a number later raised to 147 million.
The short answer is yes. Although SSNs are often required when applying for a credit card, some issuers accept alternative identification for someone who doesn't have one, such as international students, new residents to the U.S., or noncitizens.
Yes. The site's security protocols and measures protect the personal information you provide. You must enter your Social Security Number to receive a free credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com.
While you may not need an SSN to access credit, with only one or two exceptions, however, you will need a credit file at a credit bureau. Fortunately, though, the bureaus don't require an SSN to set up, report or score your credit history.
Yes, your credit score with Equifax is accurate based on the information they have stored for you. They use their own credit scoring system which is different to the other two credit reference agencies. But the score is calculated using only the information Equifax have on your credit file.
A free myEquifax account is your one-stop shop to help you with Equifax free services such as credit freezes, fraud alerts, and disputes. You can request a freeze on your Equifax credit report or unfreeze it if it's been frozen.
While pulling your Equifax credit report, or a credit score based on the information in it, will generally result in a soft inquiry, it will not affect your credit scores. If you see information on your credit report that appears to be inaccurate or incomplete, you can contact Equifax for free and we will look into it.
Anyone can refuse to disclose his or her number, but the requester can refuse its services if you do not give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone's number and use it for any purpose that does not violate a federal or state law.
Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to receive a free credit report. Contact the Social Security Administration if you think your Social Security number has been compromised and the administration can help review your statements.
You also can lock your SSN by visiting the Department of Homeland Security's myE-Verify website. Activating the site's Self Lock feature can stop someone from using your SSN for employment fraud. Keep in mind that you're not able to "freeze" your SSN, meaning that it can't be used at all.