- What is Unauthorized Access?
Unauthorized Access is when a person who does not have permission to connect to or use a system gains entry in a manner unintended by the system owner. The popular term for this is hacking.
- How did this happen?
The specifics are different for each individual event but it could happen in any number of ways. Usually access is gained via unpatched software or other known vulnerabilities.
- What should I do?
The University will notify you in some manner of the incident and provide you with more detailed information about the incident.
The university encourages all persons impacted by an Unauthorized Access incident to contact one of the three credit reporting agencies to place a 90-day fraud alert on their credit report. If there is reason to believe more stringent action should be taken, it will be noted in the letter (or other notification) you receive.
- What is a Fraud Alert?
From the TransUnion website:
A fraud alert can make it more difficult for someone to get credit in your name because it tells creditors to
follow certain procedures to protect you. It also may delay your ability to obtain credit. You may place a
fraud alert in your file by calling just one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies. As soon as
that company processes your fraud alert, it will notify the other two, which then also must place fraud alerts
in your file.Here is one example scenario. Someone walks into a car dealership intending to purchase a car and finance it using your name and personal information. The dealer obtains a copy of your credit report to ensure you can make the payments. The credit report the dealer receives will have the fraud alert flag on it. The dealer then knows he should contact you to confirm you are indeed the person wanting to purchase the car. When you inform the dealer that you are not purchasing a car from him, the line of credit isnt issued.
This alert only influences new lines of credit. Existing lines of credit are not affected, so you can continue to use your credit cards, pay on loans, etc, without any problems.
- Will this reflect badly on my credit report or lower my credit score?
No. This is a precautionary measure available to you to help protect your identity. This does not reflect poorly on you in any way.
- How do I place a fraud alert?
Contact one of the credit reporting agencies. Placing a fraud alert with one agency will also place an alert with the other two.
Each agency has an automated phone system that will allow you to do this as well as several
other things. These numbers do not offer you the option to talk to a person. Experian has an online process that many consider to be easier to use. Instructions on how to navigate the automated phone system are below. It is possible that the
menu options will change. Listen closely to the menu options to help ensure you are activating the
free 90-day fraud alert.Equifax Phone:1-800-525-6285
Choose option 1
Enter your Social Security
Number
Enter the numerical portion
of your street address
followed by the # sign. (If
you live at 123 Smith St., all
they need is the 123)
Enter a daytime phone
number
Enter a nighttime phone
number
They will provide a
comfirmation number, you
can press the * sign to
have it repeatedExperian Phone:1-888-397-3742
Choose option 2
Choose option 3
Choose option 2
Choose option 1 (Here there
will be a recording telling
you that you can go to their
website and place the alert
as well as view your credit
report online. If you wish to
continue via phone, simply
wait through the following
silence.)
Choose option 2
Enter your Social Security
Number followed by the #
sign
It will be repeated, press 1
if it is correct
Enter your zip code followed
by the # sign
Enter the numerical portion
of your street address
followed by the # sign. (If
you live at 123 Smith St., all
they need is the 123)
Enter a phone number if
desired. If you do not want
to provide a phone number,
choose option 1.
They will provide a
confirmation number
You can continue to see
other services they offer by
pressing 2, otherwise
choose option 1.
You can also place the alert online here. Click "Credit Fraud Center", then "Initial Security Alert (90 days)".TransUnion Phone: 1-800-680-7289
Choose option 9
Enter your zip code
It will be repeated, press 1
if it is correct
Enter your Social Security
Number
It will be repeated, press 1
if it is correct
Enter your birth date
(mmddyy)
It will be repeated, press 1
if it is correct
Enter the numerical portion
of your street address
followed by the # sign. (If
you live at 123 Smith St.,
all they need is the 123)
Enter a daytime phone
(including area code)
followed by the # sign
It will be repeated, press 1
if it is correct
If you wish to provide an
evening phone number,
press 1 then enter the
number (including area
code). When it is repeated,
press 1 if it is correct.
Choose option 2 if you do
not wish to leave a number.
This process was tested on November 6, 2007 - I went through the options on the phone and they want to charge me. Isnt this a free service?
Remember that the credit reporting agencies are businesses, so they want you to buy something from them. Many have found the automated systems to be confusing and frustrating. This is the main reason we verified the process with each number. Due to the way some of the options are worded, it is very easy to misinterpret the meaning behind the words you hear. If you ever get to a point where you are asked to give a credit card number, hang up and try again.
- I want to talk to a person, how do I do that?
The credit reporting agencies dont provide any kind of support for anyone other than customers who have purchased a product from them. We have been unable to locate a number that will allow you to talk to a person to get assistance with this process.
- I dont really want to deal with the fraud alert; I just want my free credit report. How do I get that?
If you only want to get a free copy of your credit report, you can request that online from here. It is a secure website.