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Equifax Says Some Passport Photos Were Stolen in 2017 Breach

Jessica Puckett
Jessica Puckett
Contributor
May 11, 2018
•
2 min read
Equifax Headquarters
Equifax Says Some Passport Photos Were Stolen in 2017 Breach
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Equifax has confirmed that thousands of consumers' passport photos were stolen in its September 2017 breach.

In a letter to the US Senate Banking Committee, lawyers representing the credit monitoring bureau acknowledged last week that hackers indeed took 3,200 passport photos from Equifax's database — a claim it had originally denied.

The number of consumers whose photos were stolen is a small fraction of the overall 148 million Americans impacted by the massive cyberattack — about 44% of US adults. Equifax says that the 3,200 photos taken does not affect new consumers, but those whose data was already breached in some form.

The pictures were part of the company's dispute portal, where consumers argue against errors in their credit reports.

Equifax first announced that consumers' sensitive information was taken in the sweeping cyberattack in September 2017, and both the number of people affected and the type of information stolen has been expanding consistently ever since.

The bureau first said the private data taken was consumers' names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver's license and credit card numbers. That list of sensitive information has since grown to include tax identification numbers, email addresses and phone numbers. Plus, some smaller details, such as credit card expiration dates and driver's license issuing state, which Equifax disclosed to the Senate Banking Committee earlier this year.

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Now passport photos are also on that list.

Equifax also originally said 145.5 million Americans were affected by the breach — a figure that was later bumped up by 2.5 million in February to reach a whopping 148 million people with some type of data stolen.

In the wake of the hack, the company has offered free credit monitoring services for one year. Among other tips, experts recommend consumers freeze their credit.

H/T: NBC Washington

Featured image by Getty Images

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.