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Schneiderman comments on eBay security breach

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, May 23rd 2014 07:50 pm

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman issued the following statement in response to the latest news regarding a security breach at eBay:

"The news that eBay has discovered a security breach involving customer data is deeply concerning," he said. "New Yorkers and eBay customers across the country trust that retailers will protect their personal information when they shop online. Our office has asked and fully expects eBay to provide free credit monitoring services to customers impacted by this breach."

The attorney general has also provided a list of tips, both for eBay customers who suspect they may be a victim of the data security breach, and for those who have verified they are a victim of this breach:

If you might be a victim:

•Report to any of the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Transunion or Experian) that you may have been a victim of identity theft. Make sure the credit reporting agency has your current contact information so it can get in contact with you. 

•Ask the credit reporting agencies to put a fraud alert on your credit file. This will still allow you to use your credit card. If you put a fraud alert on your file, you may ask for a free credit report from each of the credit reporting agencies. Contacting any one of the three credit reporting agencies above is enough to file a credit alert with all of them. A credit alert must be renewed every 90 days.

•You also have a right to put a credit freeze on your credit file. This will block someone from obtaining credit using your name or personal information. This means you won't be able to apply for any new credit cards or loans while the freeze is in effect, but you can continue to use your existing cards. To freeze your credit file, you must notify each of the three major credit bureaus. You can remove the freeze temporarily or permanently by contacting each of the three agencies. There is no fee if you have been the victim of identity theft. You may be charged a fee of up to $5 if you have not been a victim of identity theft.

•You should also check your credit activity regularly with each credit issuer. You don't need to wait for your monthly statement, though you should check that, as well. Many banks provide online information to account holders about recent activity. 

If you are a victim:

•Create an identity theft fraud report. To create one, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and print your identity theft affidavit. You can call the FTC at 1-877-438-4338 or visit this website.

•Use that to file a police report and create your identity theft report. 

•An identity theft report will help you deal with credit reporting companies, debt collectors and any fraudulent accounts the ID thief opened in your name.

•Put a freeze (not just a fraud alert) on your credit report by notifying each of the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion or Experian). The freeze can be removed only by you.

•Get your credit report from each of the three agencies. You are entitled to free reports once you post a fraud alert or put a freeze on your account. Read the reports carefully to see whether other fraudulent transactions or accounts are listed, and then take steps to correct the errors.

•Check your credit card account frequently to look for any irregular activity.

Contact information for the credit reporting agencies:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

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