Warning Over Equifax Data Breach

Equifax has confirmed a data breach in which both UK and US accounts have been compromised.

Action Fraud has been alerted to reports of a large scale data leak of Equifax customer data, which was first reported to them on Friday 8 September. Since then they have been working with Equifax, as well as law enforcement partners in the USA and UK, in order to gain a precise understanding of the extent of the data leak and whether any UK citizens may have been affected. 

Until then, anyone concerned that their data may be affected can contact Equifax by visiting the Equifax website for further information.

Action Fraud have advised to do the following to keep yourself safer:

• Check if any of your financial details were compromised, notify your bank or card company as soon as possible. Review your financial statements regularly for any unusual activity.
• Be suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails or texts, even if it appears to be from a company you know of. Don’t open the attachments or click on links within unsolicited emails, and never disclose any personal or financial details during a cold call.
• Check your bank accounts and report any suspicious activity to your bank.

How else might criminals use this information?

Criminals often use information they have obtained during a data breach to commit fraud by contacting people by email and requesting them to provide personal information or click on malicious links

An email address can be spoofed. Don’t open attachments or click on the links within any unsolicited emails you receive, and never respond to emails that ask for your personal or financial details. 

The sender’s name and number in a text message can be spoofed, so even if the message appears to be from an organisation you know of, you should still exercise caution; particularly if the texts are asking you to click on a link or call a number.

For any attempted or successful scam or fraud, report to Action Fraud online or via phone on 0300 123 2040