Data Breach Image

Recently, Equifax, one of the three national consumer credit reporting agencies, announced a major data breach. This breach affects approximately 143 million Americans. This is what we know according to Equifax: the data breach occurred May – July 2017, and the information stolen includes consumers’ personally identifiable information, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses and, in some cases, driver’s license numbers.

Approximately 209,000 credit card numbers and dispute documents with personally identifiable information for approximately 182,000 consumers were also stolen. There is no evidence of unauthorized access to consumers’ credit reporting databases.

To be clear, Marion County Bank was not compromised and your information was not stolen from our bank. However, Marion County Bank takes the security of our customer information very seriously, and we are providing you with the information we know about this massive breach and the steps you can take to protect your personally identifiable information if you so desire. Following this unprecedented breach, we are also asking our customers to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity in your Marion County Bank accounts to us by calling 641-628-2191.

Equifax has established a website that informs consumers if they may be affected by the breach, provides additional information on the breach, and offers complimentary identity theft protection and credit file monitoring. This information is available at www.equifaxsecurity2017.com. To protect your identity and personal information, Marion County Bank strongly encourages our customers to take the actions noted below.

  • Review your account statements to spot any suspicious transactions. You can also monitor your account activity online at any time at www.marioncountybank.com.
  • If you spot any suspicious transactions, please contact us immediately at 641-628-2191.
  • Consider if you should place an initial fraud alert on your credit report Click here to place fraud alert.
  • Consider placing a credit freeze on your files.  A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name.  Keep in mind that a credit freeze will not prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts. Click here for information on credit freezes
  • Review your credit reports for accuracy. Call any one of the three credit reporting agencies to receive your free annual credit report or visit www.identitytheft.gov or by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338). The FTC also offers general information to protect your online presence at www.consumer.ftc.gov

    Equifax has established a dedicated toll-free number to answer questions you may have about the Equifax data breach and its effect on your personally identifiable information. You may call them at 866-447-7559.

    There are several government websites containing information about how consumers can protect themselves from identity theft and steps they may want to take after a data breach.  Here are links to some of those resources:

    Identitytheft.gov/databreach

    Consumerfinance.gov