The 2017 Equifax data breach got a lot of attention, but credit reports are not the only data Equifax maintains on consumers. According to FastCompany, Equifax’s Work Number database regularly receives employment and salary data from a wide range of employers, “including 75% of Fortune 500 companies, 85% of the federal government workforce, entire state governments and agencies, courts colleges and thousands of small businesses nationwide.”
An individual can prevent the release of their salary and employment data and the sale of personal information.
Financial companies and prospective employers buy credit reports, salary data and work history reports based on this data. Former Equifax CEO Rick Smith estimated the worth of the workforce division at about $9 billion.
Now Equifax has acknowledged that criminals had access to this database in addition to the well-publicized breach of their credit reporting database. Moreover, anyone with an employee’s Social Security Number and data of birth, the type of data taken in the Equifax credit report data breach, are able to easily access this information online.
There is no way to opt out of being included in the Work Number database, but an individual can prevent the release of their salary and employment data and the sale of personal information; however, because most consumers are not even aware that this information is being collected and distributed, they do not know that it is possible to request that their information not be released.
Fast Company reports that there are three ways you can put an “Alert” or “Freeze” on your Equifax Workforce Solutions report:
- Call Equifax Workforce Solutions at 866-222-5880 to make an action request (either Alert or Freeze) and provide identity verification.
- Mail an action request (either Alert or Freeze) and proof of identity to: Equifax Workforce Solutions, ATTN: DISPUTE. 3470 Rider Trail South, Earth City, MO 63045.
- Fax an action request (either Alert or Freeze) and proof of identity to: Equifax Workforce Solutions at (314) 812-6822.
Equifax says consumers may not want to freeze their Work Number files because, “Without the Work Number, a lender, property manager or pre-employment screener will call an employer and explain why they need to check on an employee or former employee’s employment or income. That individual has no control over who picks up the phone, whether the right information is actually given out, or if his or her privacy will be respected.”
Security expert Brian Krebs adds, “Neither does the consumer have any control over to whom Equifax gives this data.” He suggests that before you opt out, you request a free Employment Data Report to see what data Equifax may have compiled and released. To request a free Employment Data Report, you’ll need to fill out a form at the Work Number website, or make a request by mail, or through a toll-free phone number (1-866-222-5880).
