Equifax Data Breach: Michigan Joins Multi-State Investigation

METRO DETROIT, MI — More than 4 million Michigan residents may have had their personal information compromised in the massive Equifax database cyberattack. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette joined a multi-state investigation of the alleged breach with 40 other state attorneys general on Friday.

He also joined them in asking Atlanta-based Equifax to reimburse the cost associated with a credit freeze for affected individuals. Personal information experts advised earlier this week that a credit freeze is the best way to stop fraudulent actions for people whose information was allegedly stolen.

Since then, all three major credit reporting services — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — have been bombarded with freeze requests. Each service charges about $10 for the credit freeze, according to a Washington Post report.

“I strongly encourage those who believe their personal information was compromised to file a complaint with my office,” Schuette said in a statement. “It is indefensible that they be forced to pay fees to fully protect themselves from the fallout of Equifax’s data breach. I encourage everyone who has been affected to report their experience to my office.”

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In the letter to Equifax, the attorneys general also expressed their concerns that the Nov. 21, 2017 cutoff date for free credit monitoring for consumers is short-sighted and suggests that date be extended to at least January 31, 2018. Equifax discovered the breach in late July.

“While the investigation is ongoing, it is important that Michigan residents determine if they were affected by the breach and take steps to monitor their credit reports and their bank accounts and credit card statements, and report any suspicious activity immediately,” Schuette said.

How to File a Complaint
Consumer Protection Division P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909-7713

Fax: 517-241-3771

To file online go to Online Consumer Complaint/Inquiry, otherwise send by regular mail or fax as listed above. If you have any questions, please call the Consumer Protection Division Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at 517-373-1140 or toll free 877-765-8388.

Photo by GotCredit via Flickr Commons