“Apple fans who froze their credit after the Equifax data breach may end up with another hassle on their hands if they try to get one of the new iPhones that can cost more than $1,000,” Ken Sweet and Michael Liedtke report for The Associated Press. “People who did so and want to make any big purchase may find the same.”
“Since Equifax disclosed that 143 million Americans had their Social Security numbers and other personal data hacked, experts have encouraged people who may affected to put in place what’s known as a credit freeze,” Sweet and Liedtke report. “That locks down a person’s credit from being stolen by identity thieves — but could also mean delays and more fees for the Equifax victims who want to finance a new phone.”
“You can unfreeze your credit before a big purchase and freeze it again afterward. How long it will take and how much it costs vary state by state. Experts say generally it’s best to give the major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian and Equifax — notice of several hours or even a few days before you apply for financing,” Sweet and Liedtke report. “And people just getting used to the idea of freezing their credit could pay $3 to $10 for each action at each of the three bureaus… Citizens Financial Group, which runs the Apple financing program, said any new or existing customer who has a credit freeze on their information will be declined financing. So they would have to unfreeze their credit, at least temporarily.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Equifax’s serial incompetence is the gift that keeps on giving.
SEE ALSO:
Equifax’s latest breach is very possibly the worst leak of personal info ever – September 8, 2017
We take such caution to guard our personal info and A-HOLES like equifax f*cks everything up. Now we are at risk and they charge us for putting in the extra effort to guard our personal info? Where the F is the justice????
It’s called the legal system for a reason….since there is no justice.
Freezing and unfreezing a credit score is free if you are a victim of identity theft. There should be no cost to freeze your credit score if you are victim to this breach.
I hope you are correct but I think you are wrong. Having your information stolen is not the same as having someone impersonate you. The first is passive. The second is done by an evil actor.
Agree the fees should be waved until such time that one is allowed to get a new SSN.
son, you don’t get new SSN’s unless you’re The Muslim Usurper.
Yes I thought that was self evident. Meaning we should never have to pay the fees. EVER.
. Subtllety is lost on so, so, so MANY people. Explains ALOT.
nah, you weren’t being subtle, you just got busted…take it like a man.
We’ll agree to disagree.
By the way, anyone who uses “son” in their language to talk to a complete stranger is not the sharpest tack or is from the south.
My guess is you are not from the south.
you heard of Ewin’ Awl, boy? Hell, I AM Ewin’ awl.
I know for a fact Eqifax and Innovis are offering free credit freezes in this case. Experian requires a police report, which would be difficult to obtain since we don’t know where the crime took place.
I had my credit card number stolen and used in UK and my local police station would not file a report.
The bastards at Equifax should not only offer credit freezing for free but also be forced to provide for free Lifelock, not just credit monitoring. I’m sick and tired of companies who are concerned only for their own security but not that of their customers. Equifax should be made an example of, even it drives them out of business. Maybe then, we’ll see an end of companies using Windows XP and other s**t systems! And ill trained IT people who are too stupid to see beyond their Microsoft indoctrination sessions.
Equifax: LOBBYING: $1,100,000 (2016)
REVOLVING DOOR
11 out of 14 Equifax Inc lobbyists in 2015-2016 have previously held government jobs.
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000025712
If you can’t afford to purchase a $1,000 iPhone with cash, you really shouldn’t buy it since you can’t afford it.
First of all, not the point. Second, if you want to participate in the new iPhone every year program, you don’t pay for it up front.