Verify
that your information was included in the breach/fraud by checking
official notices from the company or trusted sources like Have I Been Pwned.
Change
Your Passwords:
Update
your passwords for all accounts linked to the breached service.
Use
strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor
authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
Monitor
Financial Accounts:
Regularly
check bank, credit card, and investment accounts for unauthorized
transactions.
Set
up alerts for account activity to catch suspicious transactions quickly.
Place
a Fraud Alert:
Contact
one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian (888.397.3742),
TransUnion (888.909.8872), or Equifax (888.378.4329) to place a fraud
alert on your credit report.
This
is free and will make it harder for thieves to open new accounts in your
name.
Freeze
Your Credit:
Consider
freezing your credit with all three credit bureaus to prevent new
accounts from being opened without your permission. Equifax,
Experian, TransUnion
Securing Your Identity
Obtain
Free Credit Reports:
Visit
AnnualCreditReport.com to get free credit reports and review them for unauthorized activity.
Secure
Sensitive Accounts:
Update
security questions and answers, especially if the breach exposed answers
to common questions (e.g., mother’s maiden name, pet names).
Enable
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Add
an extra layer of security to accounts by enabling MFA using an app or
hardware key.
File
an Identity Theft Report:
Go
to IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan.
Protecting Your Data Going Forward
Notify
Relevant Institutions:
Inform
your bank, credit card issuer, and any other financial institutions that
your data may have been compromised.
Monitor
Tax Activity:
Check
for unusual tax filings. Thieves may use stolen data to file fraudulent
tax returns in your name.
Check
Social Security Activity:
If
your Social Security number was exposed, request your Social Security
earnings statement to ensure accuracy.
Be
Wary of Phishing Scams:
Be
cautious of emails, texts, or calls asking for sensitive information,
especially those claiming to be from companies involved in the breach.
Long-Term Steps
Consider
Identity Theft Protection:
Sign
up for a credit monitoring or identity theft protection service,
especially if it is offered for free by the breached company.
Keep
Software Updated:
Regularly
update your operating systems, browsers, and antivirus software to
minimize vulnerability.
Store
Data Securely:
Avoid
storing sensitive data on unsecured devices or sharing it over
unencrypted channels.
Educate
Yourself:
Stay
informed about best practices for digital security to reduce the risk of
future breaches.
Follow Up
Check
for Class Action Lawsuits:
Determine
if the breached company is part of a class action lawsuit that you can
join for potential compensation.
Review
Breach Notifications:
Keep
a record of communications from the company regarding the breach,
including what steps they are taking to protect affected individuals.
Reassess
Your Security Practices:
Evaluate
and strengthen your personal security habits to better protect yourself
in the future.
