A gatekeeper of your credit data let down its guard. Odds are your information is at risk for ID fraud.
![How To Minimize The Threat Of ID Theft!](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/1194/247022/59f2f6081d709/Investment-Credit-Security-ID-Theft.jpg)
Data breaches happen so often these days that it’s tempting to shrug your shoulders and hope for the best. But when Equifax announced in early September that it had exposed the names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers of consumers— affecting as many as 146 million people in the U.S.—the news ignited an unprecedented outpouring of outrage and prompted investigations by members of Congress, the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the attorneys general of many states.
As one of the three big credit agencies, Equifax is a gatekeeper of the sensitive personal data of a huge swath of people. The breach touches almost three-fourths of those who have a credit report on file, according to the National Consumer Law Center. “This is the mother lode of data for identity thieves,” says Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney for the NCLC. The bits of information compromised are the keys crooks need to open new credit and loan accounts, file tax returns, or even apply for jobs or receive medical care. Hackers also accessed the credit card numbers of about 209,000 consumers, as well as “dispute documents” (presumably from those who challenged inaccuracies on their credit reports) containing the personal information of about 182,000 people.
A FUMBLED RESPONSE
Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![My Top 30 Index: An Update](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/O2MR0GXZK1717497213764/MY-TOP-30-INDEX-AN-UPDATE.jpg)
My Top 30 Index: An Update
A year ago, I put together what I called \"my own reinvention\" of the Dow Jones industrial average, the popular 142-year-old large-cap index.
![Balance Your Risk and Reward](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/DR2ViQNm41717496580792/BALANCE-YOUR-RISK-AND-REWARD.jpg)
Balance Your Risk and Reward
These new ETFs let you cut stock market losses. But you'll sacrifice some gains.
![IS A HYBRID CAR RIGHT FOR YOU?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/Zcrd28LPB1717495888972/IS-A-HYBRID-CAR-RIGHT-FOR-YOU.jpg)
IS A HYBRID CAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Hybrids offer a fuel-saving option for drivers who have reservations about all-electric vehicles. But there are trade-offs.
![HOW TO REACH YOUR INVESTING GOALS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/-HSjQttSt1717492066583/HOW-TO-REACH-YOUR-INVESTING-GOALS.jpg)
HOW TO REACH YOUR INVESTING GOALS
Patience helped these four investors make their portfolios work for them.
![WHERE TO INVEST NOW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/XJ0R5sWkt1717486869520/WHERE-TO-INVEST-NOW.jpg)
WHERE TO INVEST NOW
Expect a lot of midyear churn, with a rally toward the end of 2024.
![TIPS FOR FINANCING A HOME PROJECT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/ftX0yaNRJ1717499591395/TIPS-FOR-FINANCING-A-HOME-PROJECT.jpg)
TIPS FOR FINANCING A HOME PROJECT
I recently had a call with a client who was looking to fund the construction of a swimming pool at his house.
![MORE WOMEN THAN EVER ARE STARTING BUSINESSES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/719A7ODHm1717499365993/MORE-WOMEN-THAN-EVER-ARE-STARTING-BUSINESSES.jpg)
MORE WOMEN THAN EVER ARE STARTING BUSINESSES
Retail and travel businesses, along with health, beauty and fitness, are popular with women entrepreneurs.
![Finding Home Health Care](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/z4EGXcZVs1717498427612/FINDING-HOME-HEALTH-CARE.jpg)
Finding Home Health Care
It’s important to hire a caregiver you trust.
![UNDERSTANDING BOND FUND YIELDS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/R9Ip1u-QZ1717498108682/UNDERSTANDING-BOND-FUND-YIELDS.jpg)
UNDERSTANDING BOND FUND YIELDS
What's a 30-day SEC yield? A trailing 12-month yield? A yield to maturity? We explain what each measure says about an income fund.
![ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ON STUDENT LOANS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1194/1721871/Lq6agBPjX1717497708856/ANSWERS-TO-YOUR-QUESTIONS-ON-STUDENT-LOANS.jpg)
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ON STUDENT LOANS
If you have federal student loans, you may benefit from new government policies. Here's what you need to know.