This fraud scheme is real... Done in open view... And i have the smoking gun to prove it. Yep, a 41 minute recording of a call where several customer service agents confirmed my suspicion of fraud by equifax. I can't believe the ftc isn't all over this by now.
I needed to place a security freeze on all 3 credit files due to my personal information being disclosed by an incompetent employee that worked for Ridenow Powersports in Concord NC. I had no problems placing the freeze for Transunion or Experian. Both sites requested my personal information and a PIN that I could use to lift the freeze at a later time. When I got to the Equifax site, I had issues. Before I continue, I must say that I design web sites for a living so this scam was easy to see for me.
Here's how it works:
First, go here (https://help. Equifax.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/75/search/1) to find the fees associated with placing North Carolina for a Non-Victim. Yes, Equifax is required to post this information on their site. I'll tell you that it costs $3 for requests by mail or phone and $0 (Free) for completing the freeze online. 1. Goto https://www.freeze. Equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo. Jsp
2. You will have to wait for the form fields that you fill out. They will appear at the bottom of the page once loaded.
3. There are 3 steps in the process, but no worries. You won't get to step 2 and 3.
4. Enter your information as requested. Better yet, you could actually enter dummy data. As long as the date of birth is set so you are at least 18 years old, you will be able to submit. The form will ensure you have all valid characters in addition to doing a calculation on how old you are using the date fields.
5. Check the option to "Accept terms of Use".
6. Enter the numeric validation code.
7. Click the submit button link.
That's as far as you'll get. For those live in a state where you should get a free security freeze online like North Carolina, you have just wasted your time. This page posts your information to a static page page at https://www.freeze. Equifax.com/Freeze/Freeze.htm which is already pre-popluated with a message to steer you into mailing in your request (the same info you just entered above) or better yet, you'll call them and have the pleasure of speaking with their agents in Asia or India who all have ficticious user friendly "American" names they go by. No, you won't get their real names... I know... Worked for a telemarketing company that had agents in the Philipines and they were all assigned american friendly names which are all ficticious.
So, basically. The online security freeze for Equifax doesn't actually exist.
According the agents who I've spent several hours on the phone with, they have guidelines to charge for every security freeze unless you mail in your request with a police report or identify theft report. No freebies. Equifax has absolutely no regard for North Carolina state law nor any other state law that mandates a free security freeze. And they are doing it in open view and in your face because they have big gigantic balls of steel that haven't been smelted down to size yet.
So, if you can get past the first step and you're not directed to the static page which steers you into mailing your request in for a fee, please post back and let me know.
In the meantime, I have a civil suit to prepare for these crooks. No, it's not the first time I've been injured financially by one of their scams... Probably won't be the last... But I guarantee something will be done about it this time.
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