When it comes to data breaches, it’s an issue of when — not if — you’ll be impacted. A data breach happens when cyber-criminals break into a company’s systems and steal personal information. How do you know if you’re a victim of a data breach? In the United States, laws in all 50 states require private businesses to notify customers of data breaches involving personal information. If you’re a victim of a data breach, you’ll receive notice through the mail, by email, or sometimes by text. If you receive a notice advising you that you’re involved in a data breach, you must act immediately. First, find out exactly what information was stolen. Different types of data create different risks. A leaked email address may lead to phishing attacks, while a stolen Social Security number could enable criminals to open accounts in your name. You need to check to see whether your email appears in leaks. You can do this by going to Have I Been Pwned, which is a safe, free, reliable service to check your email. If your email is involved in a breach, you must freeze your credit. Contact each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Freezing and unfreezing your credit is free and can be done online in minutes. Place a fraud alert on your credit report, which tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. All three credit bureaus can place an alert on your credit report free of charge and it typically lasts for one year. Change your passwords immediately, enable two-factor authentication, and set up a passkey if you can. A passkey will require you to be on your particular device in order to log in. Consider placing a freeze on your Social Security number, which will result in the monitoring of your earnings records, and suspicious activity will be reported immediately. Finally, monitor your bank and credit card accounts and enable transaction alerts in your bank account settings to alert you when something over a certain amount is purchased. Report suspicious charges immediately.
