Did you apply for a student loan between 2000 and 2006?

[CarlW]

Crap, just phoned and I'm affected. They said they don't think it was stolen but not sure what to do now.

[Street Pharmacist]

Me too. No hits on my credit though

[me_dennis]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'm affected. Now to check transunion. Should I check the other credit agency too?

you should call equifax and all your banks and credit cards too.

when calling equifax and using the automated system, select the option that says that you have confirmed identity theft and have been contacted by a creditor. I found that option to be the best if you want to talk to someone rather than go through the painful automated system.

be prepared to wait at least 45mins.

[me_dennis]

Originally Posted by CarlW

Crap, just phoned and I'm affected. They said they don't think it was stolen but not sure what to do now.

call all of your financial institutions and tell them that your information has been compromised by the Canada Student Loans Privacy Breach. They should all know about it and will explain what they will do.

Call Equifax (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion (1-800-663-9980)

and follow the automated system (I believe if you press 3 when they list the options, that will get you to speak to an agent).

Equifax and TransUnion will put an alert on your account for 6 years, so that when a credit application is made, they will have to contact you to confirm that it is you who is making the application.

They will also let you know the 2 most recent credit applications on your account, so you can figure out if your identity has been stolen right away.

[MaxPower]

Just a heads-up to those affected, I just got off the phone with TransUnion after multiple attempts and waiting on hold for 20+ minutes... They won't do anything for you over the phone, apparently. I was told to fax them a letter requesting the six years of monitoring/current credit report, including copies of two pieces of ID, as well as payment information. TransUnion apparently charges $5 for this service, as opposed to Equifax, who was free. (All info is on their website)

No sense wasting your time on hold with these guys, they won't do anything for you.

[Codes]

Thanks for the information. I was on hold with TransUnion for over an hour. Finally gave up!

[rd_aaron]

Originally Posted by MaxPower

Just a heads-up to those affected, I just got off the phone with TransUnion after multiple attempts and waiting on hold for 20+ minutes... They won't do anything for you over the phone, apparently. I was told to fax them a letter requesting the six years of monitoring/current credit report, including copies of two pieces of ID, as well as payment information. TransUnion apparently charges $5 for this service, as opposed to Equifax, who was free. (All info is on their website)

No sense wasting your time on hold with these guys, they won't do anything for you.

Um, phone again. I am not paying anything and they set all of it up over the phone, as they did for others in this thread.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I mailed my stuff in. That doesn't cost.

[Sinny Darino]

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/01/25...as-compromised

Just read this on the sun, not sure how we go about getting access to it or whatnot.

[JMN]

Originally Posted by Sinny Darino

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/01/25...as-compromised

Just read this on the sun, not sure how we go about getting access to it or whatnot.

Just called and my information was affected ($!@%). The lady from the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada office offered and activated the 6-years free protection from Equifax.

[Sinny Darino]

Originally Posted by JMN

Just called and my information was affected ($!@%). The lady from the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada office offered and activated the 6-years free protection from Equifax.

Did they give you a way to login to the site?

I know if you want montly access it is the $14 a month or whatever, or should I just call the 1866 number again?

[JMN]

Originally Posted by Sinny Darino

Did they give you a way to login to the site?

I know if you want montly access it is the $14 a month or whatever, or should I just call the 1866 number again?

Nope, no login information or anything. They just read some legal stuff to me, I accepted and they activated. She did mention some paperwork will be sent to my house soon as well, so some additional information may be provided in there. I would give them a call and have it activated ASAP.

I got paranoid and decided to do a credit check through Equifax too. So far so good!

[FlamesKickAss]

just called and I was affected by the breach, love adding more work to my plate

[Short Shift]

Originally Posted by MaxPower

Just a heads-up to those affected, I just got off the phone with TransUnion after multiple attempts and waiting on hold for 20+ minutes... They won't do anything for you over the phone, apparently. I was told to fax them a letter requesting the six years of monitoring/current credit report, including copies of two pieces of ID, as well as payment information. TransUnion apparently charges $5 for this service, as opposed to Equifax, who was free. (All info is on their website)

No sense wasting your time on hold with these guys, they won't do anything for you.

I got the exact same thing.

[opendoor]

I waited on hold with TransUnion for nearly an hour without getting through; even if they could do it over the phone I think I'll just pay the $5 to not have to sit on hold listening to their awesome smooth jazz muzak again.

[me_dennis]

Update on this:

I received a letter in the mail from the Federal Court of Canada, notifying me that the class action lawsuit has been started against the Government of Canada for the Student Loan Privacy Breach.

They provided me with a link to a website with more details. You can also register on the same website to be notified of future communications.

http://studentloansclassaction.com/

In the FAQ section, there is a form that you can download to keep track of any time and expenses you've incurred dealing with this. Luckily, I posted on CP which helped me trace back the date and time I spent on the phone with Equifax and TransUnion.

Any lawyers on CP want to provide some thoughts on this? Is there anything to lose from being on the class action? What do we need to prove to be included as a class member? i.e. If we did not suffer from any proven identity theft, would we still be included?

[Street Pharmacist]

I got one too

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Since being notified of the breach I have subscribed to Equifax credit monitoring, I wonder if my expenses beyond the free year would be covered. I am not comfortable not having my credit monitored.

[me_dennis]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

Since being notified of the breach I have subscribed to Equifax credit monitoring, I wonder if my expenses beyond the free year would be covered. I am not comfortable not having my credit monitored.

I would be interested in what the retail cost of the free year from Equifax would be, because I would count that as an expense in the form, even though they offered it for free.

[calumniate]

Hmm I think I may need to hop on this gravy train! I was never notified though