Customer Service

WebDetect FAQs

Why doesn’t Equifax tell me where my information is found?

Because these underground sites change frequently and we don’t want to tip off identity thieves where we’re looking, we won’t be able to tell you where your data is found. But knowing that your information was found can help you prevent or minimize the damage caused by identity theft.

How soon will I receive an alert if my information is posted?

Every day, we check the WebDetect database for any of the credit card numbers or the social security number you’ve chosen to monitor. If we find any of these numbers, we will send you an email alert within 24-48 hours with suggestions on actions you should consider taking to protect yourself.

Can I receive multiple notifications for the same number?

WebDetect notifies you each time your social security number or credit card number you’ve chosen to monitor is found on a new site. If your number is found on multiple sites you will receive alerts for each time your number was found on a different site. If you’ve just added your number and it has already been found on multiple sites in the past, you may receive multiple notifications.

What information will I receive when I get an alert?

If we find your social security number or any of the credit card numbers you’ve chosen to monitor, we will send you an email alert that your number has been found on a new site and the date it was found. Because a card may be traded or sold multiple times, you may receive multiple alerts over several days for the same number. Once you’ve received your alert, log in to Equifax.com and view your alert details for specific suggestions on actions you should consider taking to protect yourself.

What can I do to protect myself if I receive an alert that my credit card number has been found?

If your credit card number is found, you should consider taking the following steps to protect yourself from potential fraudulent activity:

• Check your latest credit card statement or online account details for any suspicious activity.
• Report to your credit card issuer that you suspect your credit card account may have been compromised.
• Contact one of the three Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies to place an initial 90-day fraud alert.
  Have one of the nationwide consumer reporting agencies put an initial 90-day fraud alert on your file to aid in preventing new credit accounts from being opened without your permission. To have Equifax place a free 90-day fraud alert on your credit file, click here or call 1-800-525-6285. Equifax and the other two credit reporting agencies, Experian and TransUnion, work together so that when you place an alert with one of these agencies, your request is automatically sent to the other two agencies. You are also entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report when you place an initial 90-day fraud alert. Go to www.equifax.com/fcra for your free fraud alert credit report disclosure.
  Learn More about Fraud Alerts
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission.
  If you find that your credit card has been used without your authorization, you can file an ID Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using its online complaint form. In the alternative, you can call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write to the Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. The FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, but consumer complaints do help the FTC to investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action.
• File an Identity Theft Report with the police or law enforcement that has jurisdiction in your case if you find that your credit card has been used without your permission.
  An Identity Theft Report is a police report that contains additional details pertaining to the crime of identity theft for the credit reporting companies and the businesses involved to verify that you are a victim-and to know which accounts and inaccurate information came from identity theft. Though the authorities may be unable to assist you, an Identity Theft Report, reporting the crime may be necessary to help convince creditors that someone else has used your credit card without your authorization. You may be able to use a printed copy of the FTC's ID Theft Complaint Form to help you file an Identity Theft Report.

For more information on what to do when your card is lost or stolen, check the FTC's web site at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/atmcard.shtm

What can I do to protect myself if I receive an alert that my social security number has been found?

If you receive an alert that your social security number has been found, the following are some steps you should consider taking to protect yourself from potential fraudulent activity:

• Check your credit reports.
  Get your credit reports from all three nationwide credit reporting agencies and check for inquiries that you do not recognize and any new accounts opened in your name. You are entitled to receive one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call (877) FACTACT for your FREE annual Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reports. Because new accounts may take up to six months to show up on the report, continue to monitor your credit reports on a regular basis.
  Learn More about Credit Reports
• Contact one of the three Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies to place an initial 90-day fraud alert.
  Have one of the agencies put an initial 90-day fraud alert on your credit file to aid in preventing new credit accounts from being opened without your permission. To have Equifax place a free 90-day fraud alert on your credit file, click here or call 1-800-525-6285. Equifax and the other two credit reporting agencies, Experian and TransUnion, work together so that when you place an alert with one of these agencies, your request is automatically sent to the other two agencies. You are also entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report when you place an initial 90-day fraud alert. Go to www.equifax.com/fcra for your free fraud alert credit report disclosure.
  Learn More about Fraud Alerts
• Place a security freeze on your credit files at each of the three Nationwide Credit Reporting Agencies.
  You may request a security freeze be placed on your credit files at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You will have to contact each of them credit reporting agencies individually in order to place a security freeze on their credit file on you.
  Learn More about Security Freezes
• Contact the Social Security Administration.
  Your Social Security Statement will show you a record of the earnings on which you have paid Social Security taxes during your working years and a summary of the estimated benefits you and your family may receive as a result of those earnings. Reviewing your Social Security Statement may help you determine whether someone has used your Social Security number to get a job or to avoid paying taxes. To request a copy, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/statement/. If you suspect that someone else is using your social security number for work purposes, you should contact the Social Security Administration to report the problem. You can file a fraud report with the Social Security Administration at http://www.ssa.gov/oig/guidelin.htm. Click here for additional information from the Social Security Administration about identity theft and your social security number.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission.
  If you find that you are a victim of identity theft, such as someone misusing your social security number or opening a credit account in your name, you can file an ID Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using its online complaint form.In the alternative, you can call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY: 1-866-653-4261; or write to the Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. The FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, but consumer complaints do help the FTC to investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action.
• File an Identity Theft Report with the police or law enforcement that has jurisdiction in your case if you find that you are a victim of identity theft.
  An Identity Theft Report is a police report that contains additional details pertaining to the crime of identity theft for the credit reporting companies and the businesses involved to verify that you are a victim-and to know which accounts and inaccurate information came from identity theft. Though the authorities may be unable to assist you, an Identity Theft Report, reporting the crime may be necessary to help convince creditors that someone else has opened an account in your name. You may be able to use a printed copy of the FTC's ID Theft Complaint Form to help you file an Identity Theft Report.

For more steps you can take to protect yourself or if you find you are a victim of identity fraud, please visit Equifax Online Help.

How does billing for WebDetect work?

If you′ve purchased Equifax ID Patrol, WebDetect is already included be included in your standard monthly or annual billing. If you′ve added WebDetect to your existing Credit Watch subscription, you will be billed separately on a monthly basis, separate from your Credit Watch billing.

Can I order WebDetect separately without credit monitoring?

WebDetect is currently only available with subscriptions to Equifax Credit Watch™ or Equifax ID Patrol™. If you cancel your existing Credit Watch subscription, WebDetect will also be cancelled.

How can I order WebDetect?

WebDetect is available for new customers with Equifax ID Patrol™. Existing Credit Watch Gold and 3-in-1 Monitoring customers can add WebDetect to their subscription by ordering from the WebDetect module on the right side of the Credit Watch member center.

How can my personal information end up for sale on the Internet?

This can happen typically if your personal information has been stolen or improperly obtained. While some identity thieves use stolen identity information immediately to commit fraud, much of it is traded and sold on underground trading sites before it is used fraudulently. These sites can be online forums and discussion groups, blogs, FTP sites, IRC chat rooms, and more, where consumer personal data can be sold individually or in bulk.

What sites does WebDetect search?

WebDetect searches a large number of suspected underground trading sites continuously. These sites can be in the form of online forums and discussion groups, blogs, FTP sites, and IRC chat rooms, most of which are under the radar of internet search engines.

Because the addresses of these internet trading sites are not published, we cannot guarantee that we are able to locate every possible internet site where consumers’ personal information is at risk of being traded. In addition, underground internet trading sites frequently change web site addresses in an effort to conceal their existence, and new ones are frequently added. We are always looking for additional suspected underground internet trading sites to search, and will scan those internet sites where believe consumers’ personal information is at risk of being traded.

Can I visit underground trading sites to find my information?

Underground internet trading sites are typically managed tightly and are difficult to gain access for non-“trusted” individuals. Also, since most sites change addresses frequently, they require insider knowledge to track their most recent web site address.

What is an underground trading web site?

Underground trading web sites are sites that identity thieves use to trade consumers' stolen sensitive personal information. It is “underground” because it has a web site address that is not published or made publicly available.

Can I use an internet search engine to find my information?

Most underground internet trading sites are private and non-searchable by internet search engines. Attempting to put your own personal information in a search engine is not recommended and may expose your information.

How does WebDetect find my information on the Internet?

WebDetect uses web-crawling technology to continuously search suspected underground internet trading sites for social security numbers and credit card numbers. In addition, dedicated undercover agents work within these the rapidly changing trading sites to monitor these sites and keep up-to-date with them. As new card numbers and social security numbers are found, these numbers are added to the WebDetect database.

What credit and debit cards can I set up to scan?

You can add up to ten different credit and debit cards for WebDetect to search for. Any credit or debit card issued by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diner’s Club is supported.

Can I scan a social security number other than my own?

No, we only allow customers to scan for their own social security number. If you are attempting to add your social security number and the number displayed is incorrect, please contact Customer Care.

How do I set up my social security number and credit card numbers to be scanned?

Once you’ve purchased WebDetect with your ID Patrol™ or Equifax Credit Watch™ subscription, a WebDetect module is available on the right side of your Credit Watch member center. Through this module, you can add your social security number and up to ten credit or debit cards to be monitored. To add these numbers:

1. Social Security Number - Click the Add button next to “Social Security Number”. You will be asked to confirm your social security number before submitting.

2. Credit Card Numbers - Click the Add button next to “Add new credit/debit card”. You will be asked to select your card type, enter your credit card number, and a brief description of the card such as issuing bank.

After you add the social security number and credit card numbers you want us to scan for, there is nothing more for you to do. WebDetect will begin searching for these and notify you if any of your numbers are found. If you ever need to change a credit card number or add additional numbers, you can do so at any time using the same module.