ETA: since the breach was found to be more extensive than previously known, this is now open to everyone and the deadline extended from 11-21-2017 to 01-31-2018 https://phatwalletforums.com/post/24137
In the wake of the Equifax data breach, they are offering to waive the fee for their credit freeze service for requests initiated through November 21st. You can request a refund if you’ve paid for this service since September 7, 2017 when they finally announced the breach (something I think they should do automatically for any of the 143 million accounts put at risk by the breach).
IMHO, it should always be free since you didn’t ask them to collect and report your private financial info, nor can you have them delete your account… but I degress.
Stolen data included name, DOB, address, emails, Social Security numbers, etc., so it is important for those affected to freeze their accounts at all 4 bureaus (Equifax should pay for that too). With a freeze, you, current creditors, debt collectors, and officials with search warrents/subpoenas can access your report but new creditors can’t, meaning new credit applications will be denied. I’m not sure how temporarily unfreezing your account for X amount of time or a specific authorized creditor/employer/landlord would work (i.e., would they charge you to refreeze it after November 21st?), but it costs about $10 unfreeze depending on your state.
To find out if your data was compromised, go here: www.equifaxsecurity2017.com
To request a free Equifax credit freeze, call 800-349-9960 (their website option is buggy).
You can also contact the other agencies at: Experian: 888‑397‑3742
TransUnion: 888-909-8872
Innovis: 800-540-2505
Thanks to Paul at TCA