ATLANTA–So many consumers have responded to the Equifax data breach with requests that a credit freeze be placed on their credit files that all three credit bureaus are having difficulty keeping up with demand.
In the Equifax breach, detailed information on an estimated 143 million consumers has reportedly been obtained by hackers and Equifax has responded by waiving the standard $5 fee to consumers for placing a freeze on their credit lines through Nov. 21. The fee has not been waived by the other credit bureaus.
Equifax has offered resources online in which consumers—with the irony being noted by many—can provide their Social Security number and date of birth to put the freeze in place. But many consumers are being and told their requests cannot currently be handled due to the volume of requests.
In some cases, consumers are even being told it would be best to submit their request via the U.S. Postal Service.