We have redesigned and enhanced equifax.com.
In order to fully enjoy our new site, you must be using a standards-compliant Web browser.
We would like to help you improve your experience on www.equifax.com and the rest of the Internet.
Click one of the download links below to freely upgrade your browser.

PC: Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator

Mac: Apple Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator

FAMILIES BE VIGILANT BUT DON’T PANIC

Equifax is offering Discounted Credit Monitoring for Concerned Parents and Guardians

London 22nd November 2007 – The announcement by Chancellor Alistair Darling explaining that discs containing details of 25 million child benefit records have been lost in the post has caused alarm. However, ID Fraud expert Equifax, is warning families to stay calm and take some simple steps to increase the security of their personal data.

Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director at Equifax comments, “There is a heightened risk of ID Fraud but there is no evidence yet that the information has fallen into the wrong hands. The banks and building societies are monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, however, recipients of child benefit should keep an eye on all their accounts to stop fraudsters in their tracks.”

Munroe continues, “Human error is commonly the weakest link when it comes to data breaches, and this is the biggest one of its kind. Consumers will be protected against financial loss in these circumstances but it can affect their credit record and they may have difficulty obtaining credit in the future if they don’t take the right precautions.”

Equifax Child Benefit Checklist

  • If your child’s name or date of birth is one of your passwords change this immediately
  • Be wary of emails that begin “Dear customer”, rather than using your name or phone calls ‘phishing’ for further personal information.
  • Your bank will never ask you to reveal your PIN or passwords in full. Don’t reveal these to anyone
  • If think you have been a victim, tell your bank or building society immediately. Unless you suspect something, there is no need to contact them
  • There is no need to close your bank account
  • The HMRC has set up a Child Benefit helpline: 0845 302 1444
  • Sign up for a service like Equifax Identity Watch to alert you of any fraudulent activity

Discounted Equifax Identity Watch™ Service

In support of this week’s announcement and responding to the significant demand for consumers to look at their credit report, Equifax is offering discounted Equifax Identity Watch™ to everyone who is concerned about their identity. The cost of subscription will be £3.99 a month rather than the usual £6.00*. Equifax Identity Watch™ can start working for a consumer within minutes of them registering on www.equifax.co.uk. There is no wait for PINs or passwords.

This is vital for anyone concerned that they might have been targeted for identity theft. They can take action immediately.

The service includes:

  • Alerts to consumers on a weekly basis with any changes to their credit file by email
  • One free Equifax Credit Report™ when the subscription is started

The Equifax Identity Watch™ service provides the consumer with a monthly ‘no news is good news’ message, if there has been no activity.

The Equifax Identity Watch™ website provides easy to navigate advice and information and advice and support is available from Equifax customer care. Consumers can, therefore, benefit from learning about which life events may affect their credit situation and how to protect themselves against identity theft, as well as have access to a glossary of credit terms to make it easier to understand the terminology used by lenders and in their credit report.

Equifax Identity Watch™ will help catch potential fraud early, therefore greatly reducing the time and effort spent correcting a credit report and, in many cases, prevent fraud before it even happens. It also allows consumers to monitor their individual financial situation regularly and will enable consumers to manage their debts more effectively.

END

* 3 month minimum subscription required

Neil Munroe is available to provide comment on identity fraud and data breaches.  Neil Munroe has extensive experience and expertise on the subject of identity fraud.  He can provide soundbites on the size of the problem, ways in which ID theft and fraud can take place including the latest trends and give advice on ways consumers can protect themselves from becoming a victim.

Neil Munroe can be contacted via the Equifax PR Team at HSL:

Louise Fowler/Elinor Puzey/Claire Foster on 020 8977 9132  claire@harrisonsadler.com

About Equifax

Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Customers have trusted Equifax for over 100 years to deliver innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability.  Businesses – large and small – rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and much more.  We empower individual consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity, and maximize their financial well-being.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. employs approximately 6,900 people in 14 countries through North America, Latin America and Europe. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.

 Equifax. Information That Empowers.