Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Equifax must do more for harmed consumers

Former chairman and CEO of Equifax Richard F. Smith testified about the major hack of its consumer files Tuesday before the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee.
Former chairman and CEO of Equifax Richard F. Smith testified about the major hack of its consumer files Tuesday before the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee. Carolyn Kaster Associated Press

Rather than require every individual to contact Equifax and “freeze” their account from inquiries, Equifax should just freeze all accounts until they need to be “thawed” by an individual needing to have their credit checked.

Equifax created this dilemma for its clients and should in no way be allowed to prosper from it. There should never be another fee charged by this company to either “freeze” or “thaw” access to an individual’s account for credit-monitoring purposes. They need to step up to the plate and take full responsibility for the problem and provide this no-cost solution to all those affected.

Security of our personal data is rapidly becoming a joke and a nightmare at the same time.

Rick Wilson

Richmond

This story was originally published October 3, 2017 at 7:43 PM with the headline "Equifax must do more for harmed consumers."

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW