Consumers Urged to Actively Monitor Credit Report

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Equifax Encourages Consumers to be Alert for Identity Theft by Monitoring Changes to Credit Profile

ATLANTA -  Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX), is encouraging consumers to be on alert for changes to their personal credit report.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF),  identity theft is considered the fastest growing crime in America, with approximately 350,000 cases a year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

"Identity thieves prey on consumers during high retail seasons when credit card usage and spending is high, creating an even greater chance for your identity to be stolen," said Thomas F. Chapman, Chairman and CEO, Equifax. "Consumers must actively monitor their credit information to help protect themselves from identity theft."

In addition, Equifax recommends consumers take these simple steps to help protect their identity:

• Carry only the credit cards and identification you need that day for expenses;
• Sign all new cards immediately;
• Keep your social security card in a secure place;
• File pin numbers in a safe place, separate location;
• Shred any documents with credit card numbers before you discard it;
• Check receipts to ensure that you have your own;
• Alert card issuer for missing statements in case they have been taken;
• Give personal information or account numbers only after verifying need;

About Equifax

Equifax, a 103-year-old S&P 500 company, enables and secures global commerce through its information management, marketing services, direct to consumer, commercial and authentication businesses. As a leader in information technology, Equifax serves customers across a wide range of industries including the financial services, retail, healthcare, telecommunications/utilities, brokerage, insurance and government industries. Equifax also enlightens, enables and empowers consumers to manage and protect their financial health with services offered at www.equifax.com. The company ranked in the top five in return on equity among Business Week's Best Performers during 2001. Equifax employs 5,000 in 13 countries and has $1.1 billion in revenue.

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