A data breach occurs when an unauthorized party gains access to confidential data. The phrase “data breach” tends to bring to mind widely publicized attacks on business networks — and correctly so — but data breaches also occur on an individual level via phishing schemes and other social engineering attacks. Regardless of how your data is leaked, it’s critical to respond quickly and proactively to improve your chances of recovering your losses.
In 2023, two separate T- Mobile breaches leaked the data of 37 million and 836 users’ data, respectively. The leaks compromised sensitive personal information like names and dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and T-Mobile account PINs. In the hands of a hacker, this information can easily lead to severe consequences like financial loss and identity theft.
Data breaches tarnish businesses’ reputations and put consumers at risk for fraud. Keep reading to learn about the essential steps to take if your data has been breached.
Data breaches often happen to businesses, but it’s typically users’ personal information that gets leaked. It may take some time to realize your data has been compromised in a breach — according to IBM, it takes an average of 204 days to even identify a data breach and another 73 to contain it — so it’s wise to be conscious of the warning signs.
If you recognize the signs of a data breach right away, you can waste no time in working to protect your data and recover your losses. Some red flags stand out more than others, so familiarize yourself with these warning signs to catch them from a distance:
While businesses are obligated to disclose data breaches, it may take a long time for them to do so. If you suspect your data has been compromised but you haven’t received a notice about a breach, be extra vigilant. Regularly check the news for recent data breaches, keep an eye on your accounts, and consider inquiring with the major credit bureaus. You can also use resources like haveibeenpwned.com to see if your information has been leaked in a data breach.
If you’ve lost information in a data breach, time is of the essence. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of minimizing damages and avoiding severe consequences like financial loss and identity theft.
Losing your data to cybercriminals can be scary, but you may be able to secure your accounts before they can use your information against you. Use these tips to catch fraudulent activity and revoke unauthorized access to your accounts:
If your personal information has been leaked, it’s critical to be proactive in improving your online security. Follow these steps to tighten your defenses and thwart criminals’ attempts to hack you:
A data breach can put your identity and financial security in jeopardy, as scammers may use your personal information to commit fraud in your name and transfer your money into their bank accounts. The good news is that there are ways you can protect your identity, finances, and credit reputation from large-scale data breaches as well as individual-based social engineering attacks.
Criminals use your personal data to apply for loans, credit cards, and other new lines of credit in your name. When they fail to pay off the debts they incur (which become your debts), your reputation as a borrower suffers. Placing fraud alerts and credit freezes on your file can help prevent hackers from committing fraud and tarnishing your credit report. You can do so by contacting the three major credit reporting agencies:
While fraud alerts and credit freezes can both help you avoid financial fraud and protect your identity, they work slightly differently.
Since criminals can potentially work around a fraud alert and continue to open new accounts in your name, it may be safer to freeze your credit after a data breach.
Consistent fraud monitoring can help you catch unauthorized account activity as soon as it happens, allowing you to swiftly intervene and attempt to reverse fraudulent charges. You can manually look through your debit and credit card statements on a routine basis, or you can use a specialized service to monitor your finances and alert you to suspicious activity.
An astonishing 95% of American consumers have had some form of personal data exposed online. This means the majority of Americans are vulnerable to financial fraud and identity theft by cybercriminals who use people’s private data against them.
Robokiller’s personal data protection services scan the internet for your personal information and promptly remove it. If it shows up again, we’ll remove it again. Robokiller also blocks spam texts and scam calls that solicit confidential data for the purposes of selling it on the dark web or using it to steal from you.
Data breach recovery can be a lengthy and ongoing process, but there are agencies dedicated to helping businesses and consumers navigate the waters. Be sure to report data breaches and scam attempts to the appropriate authorities and take advantage of the resources they have to offer.
Timely reporting of a data breach can help you recover your losses as well as enable others to protect their identities and private data. Report data breaches, scam attempts, and suspicious behavior as soon as possible.
When a business suffers a data breach, they typically offer impacted users recourse to help them protect themselves from the potential consequences. Not all companies offer support voluntarily, however, and sometimes it takes a class-action lawsuit for the breached business to begin making amends. Victims may be vulnerable in the meantime, so some consider seeking legal services during the aftermath of a data breach.
Whether you lost your data in a business-related breach or you were tricked into revealing personal information to a scammer, there are resources you can use to protect your data and identity. Use the FTC’s free identity theft resources and request a no-cost credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to check for signs of fraud.
It’s imperative to take action quickly after a data breach. Fortunately, by recognizing the signs, securing your accounts, and contacting the appropriate authorities, you can help prevent and protect yourself from cybersecurity threats. Use a scam blocker like Robokiller to fully round out your defenses and take back your peace of mind.
Robokiller blocks 99% of unwanted scam texts and spam calls from reaching your phone, so scammers looking to steal your data won’t be able to get through. We also offer personal data protection scans that continuously eliminate your personal information from data broker sites. To date, we’ve prevented over $740 million in losses to phone scams.
Bolster your defense against data breaches and protect your data from cybercriminals when you start your free 7-day trial of Robokiller today.
Businesses are legally required to notify affected customers after a data breach, but there’s no set timeline for when they must reach out. If you suspect you may have had information compromised in a data breach, keep an eye on the news and look out for signs of fraudulent activity in your personal and financial accounts.
If you find out you’ve lost data in a breach, quickly secure your accounts and take extra measures to improve your security. Change your login credentials across all online accounts, notify financial institutions if you’ve lost financial information, and call the police if you suspect you’re a victim of identity theft.
Protect your identity after a data breach by closing any accounts that were compromised, placing a fraud alert or freeze on your credit with the major reporting bureaus, and notifying local law enforcement of scams and fraud attempts. Use Robokiller to remove your personal information from the internet and block scam calls and texts from reaching your phone.
Whether your business suffered a data breach or you gave away your own personal information to a scammer, it’s important to report the event in a timely fashion and to the appropriate authorities. Businesses are required to disclose data breaches to different parties based on state law, including the individuals whose data was compromised and any companies that may be affected. Individual consumers should report data breaches and scam attempts to the FTC and local law enforcement as soon as possible.
Practicing proper cybersecurity hygiene can help keep your personal information private and secure over the long term. Use a password manager to store unique, complex passwords for each of your online accounts, and refrain from sharing private information like login credentials and account information online. Use a scam blocker and data protector like Robokiller to ward off phone scams and keep your personal data off the web.
