@HImom My only interaction with Equifax was the Costco Visa’s “benefit.” Gave them a call and was given a $10 credit on our rewards for the Experian $10 charge. Others were free.
You’ve got to be kidding!!!
^No kidding. From what I read, their security was lax at best. Data was not encrypted, communication was not protected, etc. I have a feeling it was an easy hack. They should not be allowed to handle people’s sensitive information. I hope they go bankrupt. This reminds me of a general Richard Feynman talked about during Mahatton project. The general brought in a most sophisticated safe to keep nuclear secrets but he neglected to change the codes and left it at factory setting.
FTC is investigating,.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ftc-opens-probe-massive-equifax-133839815.html
Anybody flashing to that episode of Gilmore Girls where Emily got a huge new safe? She was telling Lorelei the combination and in a very serious tone of voice said slowly, “It’s ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE.”
Reminds me the scene form the Disney movie The Incredibles where the main character is trying to break into the bad guys’ network. The computer asks for a password. After a few seconds of deep thinking, the guy types in “password,” and he is in!
Like many others I want to freeze my records at all the credit bureaus as a safety measure, but I just applied for a new credit card which is pending and won’t know the result until another week. Does anyone know whether I need to wait until the credit card application gets approved before I start the freezing process or the freezing process will have no effect on the credit card application process?
Honestly, your data, if out there, has been out there for weeks and weeks. Does another week make a huge difference? My guess is probably not. Hate to sound fatalistic but if they want to steal your data and use it for nefarious reasons, I think they can. They have the upper hand here.
From L.A. Times: “Equifax’s free credit freeze won’t fully protect you, so here’s what to do”
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-equifax-credit-freeze-20170913-story.html
We also had attempted credit card fraud last week. Bank caught it immediately, before anything happened.
I blamed it on the gas station H used because the attempt took place 30 mins after. Now I wonder.
I also requested alerts on my bank accounts for any activity.
I for one will probably look to pay for more in cash money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIS3zixNnuE
@TiggerDad , We are in a similar situation with the credit card. I want H to get one, as the primary card holder, since our credit card is in my name.
If I were to die, the credit card would be shut down, and it would be really inconvenient in top of everything else. Lol. (That’s my morbid Irish sense of humor coming out.)
We’ve lost several friends and family members in the last year so I’ve been thinking along those lines as I watch survivors deal with all the paperwork, etc.
@MACmiracle Have you asked the cc company if they’d add your husband as a joint holder instead of just an authorized user?
@MACmiracle - Yes, death is ALWAYS inconvenient! 8-X 
@doschicos , That’s a very good question. I did ask if he could continue to use the card if I died and they said no. They said he would have to get his own. But I never asked specifically if there are any steps I could take for him to be able to continue to use it. That would be the easiest if it were possible.
It’s a good idea to have a few accounts in your name and a few in spouse’s, just in case, as you say. We have some where I’m primary and others where H is. We have the other as authorized user.
This might be a good place to ask for the names of cc companies you have been especially pleased with in terms of catching fraud attempts, clearing up fraud, and replacing cards quickly.
I’ve been very pleased with Citibank for all of those things. And I thought all companies would be similar until I heard of my mom’s experience of having to wait for a week for new card replacement.
Hoping this is on topic enough for this thread…
As far as catching fraud attempts, I like Discover Card. Fast resolution, too.
I have been pleased with CapitolOne, AmEx, USAA and Chase. Very displeased with Citi.
Just got this email from Costco:
"Premium identity protection and restoration
As you’ve probably seen in the news, data breaches and identity theft are on the rise. If your personal information gets into the wrong hands, it can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
That’s why Costco offers Complete ID™, an exclusive identity protection product for Costco members. Starting at just $8.99 per month per person for Executive Members*, Complete ID will monitor your credit files, the dark web, and other sources of identity theft, and alert you to any suspicious activity. And if you think you’ve become a victim of fraud, agents are available 24/7 to help you resolve the issue. Plus, there’s an easy-to-use app so that you’re never out of touch with your personal information.
Unfortunately, identity theft is not going away. But Complete ID is a great way to help minimize risk for you and your family."
Has anyone been using this from Costco? I’m thinking about giving them a try. After all, it’s been a highly reliable company.
Costco Visa, Chase Visa - send me alerts when a charge they don’t believe is legit has been made, like my $12,000 kitchen and bath counters charge by Costco.com 
Costco Visa also monitors our travel purchases. If we buy a ticket to HI, no need to tell them - they know that from date x to date y we are in Honolulu or near it.