How to Deal With a Security Breach

What you should do as a consumer if your personal information has been compromised in a security breach

Since Knit Picks' poorly managed security leak, we now have to look at what to do if your information was part of those exposed. This information comes to us from PrivacyRights.org  Please surf over and read the entire page. There is a lot of good info there.

I would especially like to highlight the information about potential identity theft. Since Knit Picks exposed our names, addresses, phone numbers and credit card information not only do we have to watch for fraudulent charges, we also have to be wary of someone opening new accounts under our name.

From Privacy Rights:

4. Reducing Your Risk of New Account Fraud Immediately call the fraud department of one of the three credit reporting agencies -- Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. When you request a fraud alert from one bureau, it will notify the other two for you. Your credit file will be flagged with a statement that says you may be a victim of fraud and that creditors should take additional steps to verify your identity before extending credit.

Equifax fraud department: (888) 766-0008
Web: https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp

Experian fraud department: (888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
Web: www.experian.com/fraud

Trans Union fraud department: (800) 680-7289
Web: www.transunion.com/corporate/personal/fraudIdentityTheft/fraudPrevention/fraudAlert.page

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) enables you to place an initial fraud alert for 90 days. You may cancel the fraud alerts at any time.

Good luck!