When more than 145 million people were affected by the Equifax data breach in October 2017, the credit bureau responded by offering a year of free credit monitoring through TrustedID Premier. On January 31, the free service will expire and consumers who “locked” their files may need to reestablish protections to their credit report.

The New York Times recently published this article to help consumers understand the change in protections and explain why a security freeze – not a lock – may be the best way to protect your data. Credit bureaus are now required under federal law to offer security freezes free of charge.

Remember: It is important to monitor your credit periodically for suspicious activity. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to receive a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit bureau.

About the author

Brandy Chieco

brandolyn.chieco@duke.edu

Brandy oversees marketing and communications, events and special initiatives for the Office of Gift Planning. She works closely with donors who are featured in Duke Magazine, the Blueprints blog and other publications. She also works closely with development teams, schools and alumni volunteers as part of our comprehensive reunion efforts. Prior to joining the team, Brandy worked in marketing, human resources and banking. She received her B.A. degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. When she is not in the office, Brandy enjoys local theatre, exploring the diverse Durham food scene and spending quality time with her husband and son.