Experian, TransUnion and Equifax: Data breach? Here’s how to stop scammers from using your information

Maine Consumers Lose Over $33 Million to Fraud as Data Breaches Fuel Identity Theft Risks

During National Consumer Protection Week, cybersecurity experts are highlighting the growing threat of identity theft after Maine residents lost more than $33 million to fraud in 2023. With data breaches exposing personal information including Social Security numbers consumers are urged to take proactive steps to secure their identities.

One of the most effective defenses is a credit freeze, a free service offered by the three major credit bureaus Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. By freezing their credit, individuals can block fraudsters from opening new accounts in their name, even if stolen data is in circulation. The freeze can be temporarily lifted for legitimate credit applications and does not affect credit scores or access to annual credit reports.

To further protect Social Security numbers (SSNs), often targeted by scammers, two key measures are recommended:

1. E-Verify’s “Self Lock” – This federal tool prevents unauthorized use of an SSN for employment or background checks, with an annual renewal requirement.
2. Social Security Administration (SSA) Account Block – Restricts online access to SSA records, requiring in-person verification to lift the block.

Fraud prevention advocates, including Phil Chin of AARP Maine’s Fraud Watch Network, emphasize that scammers exploit convenience, making these extra security steps critical. While the process may require additional effort, experts argue the safeguards are necessary to counter increasingly sophisticated identity theft schemes.

The warnings come as data breaches continue to expose sensitive information, leaving consumers vulnerable to financial and reputational harm.

Source: https://wgme.com/news/i-team/data-breach-heres-how-to-stop-scammers-from-using-your-information

Experian cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/experian

Equifax cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/equifax

TransUnion cybersecurity rating report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/transunion

"id": "EXPEQUTRA1772490489",
"linkid": "experian, equifax, transunion",
"type": "Breach",
"date": "1/2025",
"severity": "85",
"impact": "4",
"explanation": "Attack with significant impact with customers data leaks"

{'affected_entities': [{'location': 'Maine, USA',
                        'name': 'Maine residents',
                        'type': 'Consumers'}],
 'customer_advisories': 'Maine residents urged to secure identities via credit '
                        'freezes and SSN protection tools',
 'data_breach': {'personally_identifiable_information': 'Yes',
                 'sensitivity_of_data': 'High (SSNs, PII)',
                 'type_of_data_compromised': 'Personal information, Social '
                                             'Security numbers'},
 'description': 'During National Consumer Protection Week, cybersecurity '
                'experts highlighted the growing threat of identity theft '
                'after Maine residents lost more than $33 million to fraud in '
                '2023. Data breaches exposed personal information, including '
                'Social Security numbers, increasing identity theft risks. '
                'Consumers are urged to take proactive steps like credit '
                'freezes and SSN protection measures.',
 'impact': {'data_compromised': 'Personal information, Social Security numbers',
            'financial_loss': '$33 million (Maine residents in 2023)',
            'identity_theft_risk': 'High'},
 'lessons_learned': 'Proactive measures like credit freezes and SSN protection '
                    'tools (E-Verify Self Lock, SSA Account Block) are '
                    'critical to mitigating identity theft risks.',
 'motivation': 'Financial Gain',
 'post_incident_analysis': {'corrective_actions': 'Public awareness campaigns, '
                                                  'promotion of credit freezes '
                                                  'and SSN protection tools',
                            'root_causes': 'Data breaches exposing sensitive '
                                           'personal information (e.g., SSNs)'},
 'recommendations': ['Freeze credit with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion',
                     'Use E-Verify’s Self Lock to protect SSNs',
                     'Enable SSA Account Block for online access restrictions'],
 'references': [{'source': 'AARP Maine’s Fraud Watch Network (Phil Chin)'}],
 'response': {'communication_strategy': 'Public advisories during National '
                                        'Consumer Protection Week',
              'containment_measures': 'Credit freezes, E-Verify Self Lock, SSA '
                                      'Account Block'},
 'stakeholder_advisories': 'Cybersecurity experts and fraud prevention '
                           'advocates',
 'title': 'Maine Consumers Lose Over $33 Million to Fraud as Data Breaches '
          'Fuel Identity Theft Risks',
 'type': 'Data Breach, Identity Theft, Financial Fraud'}