CHICAGO – A measure sponsored by state Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, that aims to shield consumers from being charged excessive fees for freezing their credit reports is now law in Illinois.

“Last summer, Equifax was breached by a cyberattack, which compromised nearly 145 million Americans’ personal information and data,” Lilly said. “Consumers did not have the necessary protections in place at the time to prevent identify theft without having to pay to freeze their credit files. This new law outlaws companies like Equifax from charging fees when a consumer chooses to freeze their reports at any time.”

Last year, Lilly backed House Bill 4095, which streamlines individuals’ ability to freeze their credit over the phone or electronically. It was discovered that Equifax, one of the nation’s largest credit unions that collects and stores data on more than 800 million people and 88 million businesses worldwide, was impacted by a massive cybersecurity breach last summer. Millions of Illinoisans’ personal information was compromised, and this new law is designed to protect consumers by eliminating costs and burdensome obstacles when they want to protect themselves from future cybercrimes. The measure was signed into law last week.

“It’s unfair to ask consumers to pay to defend themselves, when mistakes happen through no fault of their own,” said Lilly. “Laws like these prioritize the needs and well-being of people and their families, which is something we need to be doing more often.”

Lilly represents Chicago’s West Side, Oak Park, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Franklin Park and Melrose Park. Join her weekly newsletter to stay up to date with events and news from the 78th District.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to assist the 5.4 million Illinois residents who have been effected by the Equifax data breach state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is cosponsoring legislation to prevent credit agencies from charging consumers more for taking steps to protect their credit.

“Consumers should not have to pay more to protect their credit and their family finances when large corporations can’t protect the personal information they collect on us,” Kifowit said. “I’m supporting legislation that will prohibit companies like Equifax from making us pay to clean up their mess.”

Equifax—a multibillion dollar corporation that makes money collecting consumers’ personal financial information—recently announced it had suffered a massive data breach jeopardizing sensitive consumer information of up to 143 million Americans. In Illinois, the breach is believed to have jeopardized the personal and financial information of more than 5.4 million residents.

To reduce the potential for identity theft resulting from the data breach, Attorney General Lisa Madigan is encouraging residents to consider placing a freeze on their credit, but many companies charge for this service. Kifowit is cosponsoring House Bill 4095, which would prevent credit agencies like Equifax from charging consumers with a fee to freeze their credit.

Kifowit is also encouraging residents to request their free credit reports and visit the Illinois Attorney General’s office website at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/hotline.html for information and tips on how to avoid becoming a victim to identity theft. Consumers can also call the Attorney General Identity Theft Hotline at 1-866-999-5630.

“It is important that consumers routinely monitor their finances to protect themselves from fraud,” Kifowit said. “If you suspect you are a victim of the Equifax data breach, I encourage you to request a freeze on your credit to protect your sensitive financial information.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to the recent Equifax data breach, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, is sponsoring new legislation that would prevent credit reporting agencies from charging fees to consumers who wish to freeze their credit report.

“Identity theft is a very real problem, and can have a lasting impact on an individual’s finances,” Crespo said. “While there is always the risk of hackers accessing sensitive information, there are tools available to protect an individual after a breach, such as freezing a credit report. Consumers should be able to freeze their credit without being charged unnecessary fees by reporting agencies.”

Crespo is supporting House Bill 4095, which would protect Illinois consumers from paying fees to request a freeze from a credit reporting agency. Currently, consumers can freeze their credit with the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, by paying a fee of about $10.

According to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the Equifax data breach is believed to have affected approximately 5.4 million Illinoisans and 143 million Americans. Crespo wants consumers across Illinois to be protected from identity theft, and does not believe that credit reporting agencies should be profiting off consumers who have to freeze their credit report.

“As a legislator, it’s important to me that we are doing everything to protect the consumer,” Crespo said. “Approximately 40 percent of Illinois residents had their personal information put at risk as a result of the Equifax data breach. This legislation will prohibit these multi-million dollar credit reporting agencies from charging consumers a fee for the company’s mismanagement of highly sensitive information.”

CHICAGO – In the aftermath of the Equifax data breach, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is sponsoring a measure that prevents credit reporting agencies from charging consumers a fee to freeze their credit.

“As the Chairmen of the Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and IT Committee, protecting the data of consumers it is one of my top priorities,” Andrade said. “The data breach at Equifax was a direct result of the company’s grossly negligent security practices and they should be held responsible.”

According to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the Equifax data breach is believed to have affected approximately 5.4 million residents in Illinois. Nationwide, it is believed as many as 143 million Americans were susceptible to the data hack. Residents can use a freeze as a tool to help protect themselves from additional identity theft, but agencies often charge a fee. Andrade’s proposal, House Bill 4095, would prevent fees from being passed on to Illinois consumers if they request a freeze.

“Identity theft has the potential to devastate residents’ financial well-being, and freezing your credit is one of the most important initial steps you can take to protect yourself,” Andrade said. “It would be unconscionable for consumers to pay to protect their credit due to a giant corporation’s mistake.”

WESTCHESTER, Ill. – To protect Illinois consumers impacted by the Equifax data breach, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is sponsoring legislation that would prevent credit agencies from charging consumers to freeze their credit.

“People who have had their personal information compromised should not be forced to pay for the mistakes of one of the country’s largest corporate credit reporting agencies,” Welch said. “Equifax promised to keep their customer’s credit information safe from cybercrimes. My legislation protects people from paying unfair costs from being pushed onto them.”

Equifax recently announced it had suffered a massive data breach of sensitive consumer information from May to July of this year, impacting as many as 143 million Americans. In Illinois, the breach is believed to have compromised the personal and financial information of more than 5.4 million residents.

To reduce the potential for identity theft resulting from the data breach, Attorney General Madigan is encouraging residents to consider placing a freeze on their credit and to sign up for free credit reports. Welch is sponsoring House Bill 4095, which would prevent credit agencies like Equifax from charging consumers with a fee to freeze their credit.

“I encourage people to visit Equifax’s website to see if their personal information has been hacked,” Welch said. “Equifax is also offering people a one year cost-free credit monitoring service as a result of this breach. I am fighting to pass this legislation as soon as possible to help everyone affected by this cyber-attack.”

To check to see if your personal information was compromised in this data breach, visit www.equifaxsecurity2017.com.

DECATUR, Ill. – In the wake of the Equifax data breach, state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, is co-sponsoring new legislation that would prevent reporting agencies from charging fees to consumers who wish to freeze their credit report.

“In a data breach, freezing your credit is an important line of defense, and consumers should not be charged a fee to protect themselves,” Scherer said. “It’s unacceptable for credit agencies to be making money off their own security failures.”

According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Equifax data breach is believed to have affected approximately 5.4 million residents in Illinois. Nationwide, it is believed as many as 143 million Americans were susceptible to the data hack. Residents can use a freeze as a tool to help protect themselves from additional account identity theft, but agencies often charge a fee. The Scherer-supported House Bill 4095 would prevent fees from being charged to Illinois consumers if they request a freeze.

“Identity theft can be financially devastating for working families who count on every paycheck,” said Scherer. “This legislation will make it easier and cheaper to prevent identity theft and limit the damage from a stolen identity.”

For more information, please contact Scherer’s constituent service office at 217-877-9636 or by email at StateRepSue@gmail.com. Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To offer greater protection to consumers in the wake of the Equifax data breach, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is co-sponsoring a bill designed to prevent credit agencies from charging consumers with credit freeze fees to significantly reduce the chances of identity theft after breaches occur.

“The fact that people are being forced to sustain the costs of paying to protect their identity as it relates to financial security, simply due to the negligence of others, is horrendous,” Mussman said. “As powerful corporations begin collecting data on Illinois consumers, there should be a reasonable standard of safety that ensures personal information remains disclosed exclusively to the consumer. Paying for the mismanagement of such corporations is unacceptable.”

Late last week, Equifax announced it had suffered a massive data breach of sensitive consumer information from May to July of this year, impacting as many as 143 million Americans. In Illinois, the breach is believed to have jeopardized the personal and financial information of more than 5.4 million residents.

To reduce the potential for identity theft resulting from the data breach, Attorney General Madigan is encouraging residents to consider placing a freeze on their credit and to sign up for free credit reports. House Bill 4095 would prevent credit agencies like Equifax from charging consumers with a fee to freeze their credit.

“The Attorney General has been working thoroughly on this situation since the news broke that the financial records of 143 million Americans had been compromised,” Mussman said. “The potential exposure Illinois consumers could face as a result of Equifax’s data breach is serious and should be met with precautionary steps to reduce risks. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for all Illinois residents to take action by freezing lines of credit to minimize the further financial harm.”

CHICAGO – To protect Illinois consumers impacted by the Equifax data breach, state Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation which will prevent credit agencies from charging consumers with credit freeze fees, which are essential in preventing identity theft after data breaches.

“It’s wrong that people are being forced to pay to protect their own identities and financial security because of the errors of others,” Harris said. “When giant corporations that collect data on Illinois consumers can’t keep our personal information safe, we shouldn’t have to pay for their mismanagement.”

Late last week, Equifax announced it had suffered a massive data breach of sensitive consumer information from May to July of this year, impacting as many as 143 million Americans. In Illinois, the breach is believed to have jeopardized the personal and financial information of more than 5.4 million residents.

To reduce the potential for identity theft resulting from the data breach, Attorney General Madigan is encouraging residents to consider placing a freeze on their credit and to sign up for free credit reports. Harris has introduced House Bill 4095, which would prevent credit agencies like Equifax from charging consumers with a fee to freeze their credit.

“The massive Equifax data breach is yet another painful reminder that companies who collect our sensitive personal information should be held to the highest security standards,” Attorney General Madigan said. “Requiring Equifax and other companies that control our financial data to provide free credit freezes is a necessary measure now that Equifax has lost the treasure trove of information a criminal needs to steal our identities and ruin our credit.”

“Attorney General Lisa Madigan has been working diligently on this issue since the day the news broke about the exposure of the financial records of 143 million Americans,” Harris said. “I want to thank her for immediately giving public guidance to people about steps they should take to protect themselves, and also her work with other Attorney Generals to require Equifax to pay for the damage and added expense their security failure has caused.”