When a data breach occurs, it can affect anyone, regardless of their industry. A data breach could expose your personal information like credit card or bank account numbers, email addresses, and Social Security numbers.
Cybercriminals can then use your information to commit identity theft. In the United States alone, someone is a victim of identity theft every 3 seconds.
Change Your Passwords
Changing passwords frequently is a good practice, but following a recent data breach it’s essential. The window of opportunity for cybercriminals to abuse your information will be less.
Consider adopting two-factor authentication (2FA or 2SV) if the company responsible for the data leak makes it available. It will make accessing your accounts more secure by requiring a one-time code sent to your phone in addition to your login and password.
If you’re guilty of reusing passwords across multiple accounts, this is the time to stop. Password reuse increases the potential impact of a breach because a thief who gains access to your login information on one account can use it to gain access to other accounts. Consider using a password manager to establish strong, secure, and unique passwords for your online accounts to make it more difficult for hackers to guess or crack your passwords for each version you have. Lastly, try enabling a time-out function on all your devices and Wi-Fi networks to ensure they stay active for only a short time.
Change Your Email Address
A hacked email account can expose your name, address, phone number, and other personal information. Thieves can use your email to send spam and try to log in to other linked accounts, like your financial or online shopping accounts. Using a password manager and an email alias for social media and newsletters, you can lessen your exposure.
Be cautious of data breach notices that may also arrive in your mailbox. Hackers frequently send these phishing emails to trick you into clicking a link or confirming your account credentials, which may allow them to steal personal information. Check out the breach on a news site or company website to see if it’s legitimate before taking action.
Change Your Credit Card Numbers
Data breaches occur, and understanding how to secure your personal information is crucial if you are impacted. Using strong authentication and changing passwords is always a good idea. Nevertheless, a cybercriminal with your credit card number may use it to make unauthorized charges on any linked accounts.
To mitigate this, consider switching to virtual cards with unique privacy numbers for online shopping or over-the-phone transactions. It is a new technology that uses an algorithm to generate random numbers for every transaction, eliminating the possibility of a hacker knowing your credit card number.
If you know your information was compromised, contact your bank and ask them to change your card number. It will make the old card useless to thieves and prevent any existing charges from being applied to your account. You can receive it back depending on the bank’s inquiry results.
Contact Your Credit Bureaus
Contact each credit bureau if your name and Social Security number were exposed in the data breach. Request that a fraud alert be added to your file. It will allow you to request free credit report copies and stop fraudsters from creating new accounts in your name. You can call, write or visit each credit bureau online to place the fraud alert. The alert lasts for a year.
It’s also important to check your bank and credit card statements regularly. If your account at the company affected by the breach isn’t the only one you use, restrict other online accounts.
Despite the best efforts of companies, there is no bulletproof cybersecurity. If a breach occurs, respond quickly and honestly to employees or customers. Also, consider making updates public, so consumers have a place where they can go for information and resources. It can help prevent phishing scams and keep everyone informed.
Contact Your Bank
Changing passwords and PINs is a good start. Still, it’s wise to call your financial institution directly (using the number from their website or phone book) to update your online banking login information. It is crucial if the breach affected your financial accounts since thieves might use your information to access other accounts with that company or bank.
Ask how and when you will be notified of updates about the data breach. Some organizations tell victims by email or posting the latest information on their websites. It allows consumers to check for updates anytime and help prevent phishing scams tied to data breach.
Many companies that experience a data breach offer victims a free year of credit monitoring. Even if you’ve been offered such services, you should pay close attention to your account activity and regularly monitor your credit reports. Pay attention to your credit card and bank statements and immediately report suspicious transactions. Thieves can sometimes wait months before using your information to open new accounts or commit other crimes.