Given the recent news about Equifax leaking information about millions of U.S. consumer (and some from U.K. and Canada), Is there any way for me to prevent Equifax from retaining my information?
Typically if a company does something I disagree with, as a consumer I can chose to not use that company anymore. That doesn't seem to be the case with credit reporting agencies. In fact, I don't know that I have ever agreed to allow Equifax to hold my personal information in the first place (although, I suspect it's probably in the Terms & Conditions of opening a new credit card account).
So, if I don't want Equifax to collect information about me anymore, are there any steps I can take? Or is it pretty much if I want to be able to get credit, I have to accept Equifax will collect my personal information?
I am speaking as a U.S. Citizen (California resident if it makes a difference).