Important Steps to Take If Your Data Is Exposed
If you’ve received notice that your personal information may have been exposed in a data breach, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Experts say quick action can help minimize the damage and protect you from identity theft or fraud. So if you receive that dreaded notice, here are the steps to take right away:
- Confirm the breach. Make sure the notice is legitimate; scammers sometimes send fake breach alerts to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
- Find out what was exposed. Was it your email address? Social Security number? Medical records? Financial data? Or some combination of these? Knowing what’s at risk helps you respond appropriately.
- Change your passwords. If login credentials were compromised, update your passwords immediately—especially for banking, email, and shopping accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each. You can even use a password manager to make them easy to remember and hard to crack.
- Enable multifactor authentication. Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by turning on MFA wherever possible.
- Monitor your accounts. Keep a close eye on bank statements, credit card activity, and online accounts for any suspicious transactions or logins. Jeanne D’Arc makes this easy in Online & Mobile Banking with account alerts.
- Check your credit report. Look for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each major bureau at least once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze. Speaking of the credit agencies: A fraud alert warns lenders to verify your identity before issuing credit. The freeze blocks new credit entirely until you lift it.
- Report identity theft. If you suspect fraud, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov and notify your financial institutions.
- Stay informed. Follow updates from the breached organization and cybersecurity news to learn about further risks or protective measures.
Visit our Fraud & Theft Protection page and subscribe to the Money Mill Blog for more information and best practices to keep your data and money safe.
