Updated: September 11, 2017
Equifax Inc., one of the three biggest credit-reporting companies, was struck by a cyberattack that left almost half the U.S. population at risk, making it one of the most intrusive security breaches in history in both size and scope. Hackers exploited a website application to access data covering as many as 143 million consumers, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
What you can do
We encourage you to monitor your accounts frequently and to immediately report any unauthorized transactions. Also, please check if your data has been affected by visiting the Equifax website at https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com or by calling (866) 447-7559 (open 7 days a week from 1am to 7pm HST).
Additional Resources:
- HawaiiNewsNow Article: What to do if you think you’re a victim of Equifax breach
- Equifax: Frequently Asked Questions
- Federal Trade Commission: ID theft monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Please review the following information to better understand how this breach may affect you and ways you can monitor and protect yourself from fraud.
How does UHFCU use credit reporting companies?
UHFCU uses information primarily from Experian (not Equifax) to make credit decisions on new and existing accounts.
Was UHFCU breached?
No, UHFCU is secure and we have not been breached. However, if Equifax contacts you and informs you that you are impacted by the card breach, please contact us as soon as possible and we’ll take the appropriate steps to file a dispute or fraud report on your behalf. We also recommend you add a code word to your account for security and setting up account alerts on your account.
Do I need to be worried about my UHFCU accounts?
Your UHFCU debit and credit card are protected by Zero-Liability protection. You should always be cautious and review your accounts on a regular basis. With that being said, it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of account alerts, Online Banking, and Mobile Banking. Also, the best way we can serve you is by having your current e-mail and mobile phone number.
What information was compromised?
According to Equifax, the following was compromised: “The information accessed primarily includes names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. In addition, credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 U.S. consumers, and certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for approximately 182,000 U.S. consumers, were accessed.”
I don’t appear to be part of the breach but what can I do to monitor my accounts and credit history?
The best way to do this is by checking your UHFCU account regularly via Online Banking and our Mobile Banking app, as well as accounts at any other financial institutions. We also recommend setting up account alerts to notify you about transactions on your accounts. In addition, you can pull a copy of your credit report from each major bureau once per year at www.annualcreditreport.com. We recommend doing this on a regular basis to keep an eye out for any unauthorized or unusual activity. Equifax has also recommended monitoring personal information using the Federal Trade Commission’s website, www.ftc.gov/idtheft, to obtain information about steps you can take to better protect against identity theft as well as information about fraud alerts and security freezes.
What if I notice unauthorized or unusual activity on my UHFCU account?
Please contact us as soon as possible, and we’ll take the appropriate steps to file a dispute or fraud report on your behalf.
