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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I do consumer work and I also recently heard a case in small claims where plaintiff sued Equifax for the breach, so I had to do quite a bit of research to rule on the case.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>The best thing to do is to freeze the credit report. But, realize that there can be no credit extensions while frozen. So, if you client needs a new credit card or car loan, it won't happen. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>When the credit report is frozen, a PIN is issued to unfreeze the report. Be sure it is guarded and kept in multiple places to find it because, if you lose it, unfreezing the report is a nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>There are multiple class action suits pending that your client could join. There is a basis for a claim if your client has an actual loss and can show the loss is traceable to the negligence of Equifax. That is the hard part since there have been so many breaches of information, it is hard to trace. Equifax claims that there has been no documented use of the information hacked. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Also, it is hard to prove damages unless something has actually occurred, otherwise, damages are just speculative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Also, there is an app that a guy developed that links a person to their small claims court and fills out the form for the claim if your client is interested in just pursuing the limits allowed in small claims.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/09/13/want-equifax-pay-bot-helps-victims-file-15-000-small-claims-suit/663102001/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/09/13/want-equifax-pay-bot-helps-victims-file-15-000-small-claims-suit/663102001/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>There are numerous articles online about the ability to sue and recover damages and cases of failure and success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Pam Yee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Schmidt & Yee, PC<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Lisa E Schuchman<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 10, 2018 12:31 PM<br><b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Equifax<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Hi, all,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Does anyone have experience with dealing with Equifax and its security breach letters? My client got a four-page “informational” letter explaining the breach, what information of his was stolen, and recommending what he could do. He asked me for help, but I don’t really know what to tell him other than to freeze his credit. The breach was in July, 2017, but they recently discovered more consumers who were affected. Any thoughts about the usefulness of or concerns about a freeze? Other thoughts on the subject?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black'>Lisa E. Schuchman<br>206-960-4212<br><a href="http://www.lisaschuchman.com/" target="_blank">www.lisaschuchman.com</a><br><br>I learn, I give. – Gloria Steinem<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black'>NOTE: I do not use encrypted email. Messages sent to or from my office via email are not secure and may not be protected by attorney-client privilege. This email address is not monitored at all times. If your matter is urgent, please phone my office during regular business hours. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:black'>Any tax advice included in this document and its attachments was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:Webdings;color:green'>P</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif;color:green'> </span><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#008100'>Please consider the trees before printing this document</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>