On September 7, Equifax, one of the three national credit reporting agencies (credit bureaus), reported a data breach that may have compromised the personal information of 143 million individuals. That’s almost half the population of the U.S. The compromised data is said to include Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and driver’s license numbers. In some cases, the compromised data may also include credit card numbers. The number of people impacted and the sensitivity of the breached information may make this the most significant data breach ever.
Do you live in California and care about online privacy? If so, contact your representatives now to express your support for the California Broadband Internet Privacy Act, A.B. 375.
A recent change to the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system could result in unnecessary overdraft fees being charged to your bank or credit union account. It’s important for you to understand how this change to the ACH system could impact your financial accounts.
Comments Submitted to the Vermont Data Broker Legislation Working Group
August 11, 2017
Via email to MyLanh.Graves@Vermont.gov
The Honorable Thomas J. Donovan, Jr.
Attorney General of Vermont
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
The Honorable Michael S. Pieciak, Commissioner
Vermont Department of Financial Regulation
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
RE: State of Vermont Data Broker Legislation Working Group
Starting this month, civil judgments and tax liens that don't contain certain minimum identifying information (name, address and either your Social Security number or your date of birth) will be excluded from your credit report. A civil judgment is a court ruling against you in a non-criminal matter where a payment of damages is owed. A tax lien is a government claim on your property if you fail to pay your taxes.
"What's your 'Social'?" "May I have your your SSN?" "I need your Social Security number." Most of us has been asked for this important number many times. Perhaps you were visiting a doctor's office for the first time. Maybe you were applying for a new credit card online. You might even have been asked for your SSN during an unsolicited phone call.
Earlier this year, Congress voted to repeal Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules that would have provided broadband Internet customers with privacy protections and increased control over their personal information. We were disappointed and so were many Americans. In fact, the public was so unhappy that many states started taking action. California joined this week, and PRC is excited to support the California Broadband Internet Privacy Ac
June 16, 2017
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554
Re: WC Docket No. 17-130; EPIC et al petition for rulemaking to repeal 47 C.F.R. § 42.6 ("Retention of Telephone Toll Records")
Dear Secretary Dortch,
As part of a recent study, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) created a fake customer database of approximately 100 individuals and leaked it on a website frequented by identity thieves. The data included consumer names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, passwords, and payment information (such as a credit card or online account). None of these individuals were real people, but the credentials were designed to appear legitimate.
A recent breach at the Chipotle restaurant chain highlights the risk of swiping your debit card at restaurants and other businesses. Consumers often use debit cards instead of credit cards for smaller purchases, such as at fast food restaurants. However, debit cards expose consumers to greater fraud risks than credit cards. This is particularly true when the restaurant has not upgraded its payment terminals to utilize safer chip technology. Chipotle