Q: When we froze our credit several years ago, we were given a PIN for unfreezing it when we needed to. The PIN has been the same for years. Was this number breached too, along with our other personal information? Should we request a new PIN be issued just to be safe?
—Tracy Eller, Milton
A: Credit freeze PINs were not among the data included in the recent hacks, John Ulzheimer, a credit expert who has previously worked for both Equifax and FICO, told Q&A on the News. However, Ulzheimer recommends requesting a new PIN just to be safe.
Following the recent breach, Equifax faced criticism when concerned customers realized their assigned PINs corresponded to the date and time that they contacted the credit bureau to place a freeze on their credit. Equifax quickly announced plans to change its PIN generation process to one that creates a completely random identification number, according to the New York Times.
To ask for a new number, Equifax says to submit a request in writing to the following address: Equifax Security Freeze, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348.
Along with your request for a new PIN, you must also include a valid form of identification such as a passport or driver’s license. For the latest information, visit equifaxsecurity2017.com or contact Equifax’s dedicated call center at 866-447-7559, between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m. Eastern time seven days a week.
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Dillon Thompson contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
About the Author
