Published: October 2015

Protect victims of Experian breach

In the wake of a massive data breach affecting Experian’s computers holding 15 million files of T-Mobile customers and applicants, consumer and privacy advocates are urging Experian and T-Mobile to pay to place credit, or security, freezes on all three of each victim’s credit reports. Only the security or credit freeze, available in any state, stops new account identity theft. Potential victims should freeze all of their “Big 3” credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

In light of Experian losing data for 15 million customers and applicants of the wireless phone company T-Mobile, including names, addresses and birth dates and social security numbers, among other information breached from the consumer files, consumer advocates are urging the companies foot the bill to protect the victims. Instead of offering credit monitoring services, the firms should pay to place security freezes – the only way to stop an identity thief from obtaining new credit accounts in the victims’ names. Placing a freeze on all three credit reports prevents new account financial identity theft but credit monitoring does not.

Lead Organization

National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)

Other Organizations

National Consumer Law Center | Communications Workers of America, CWA | Consumer Action | Center for Digital Democracy | Center for Economic Justice | National Association of Consumer Advocates | U.S. PIRG | Woodstock Institute | Housing Resources of Columbia County

More Information

To read the full letter, please click here.

For more information, please visit NCLC's website.

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