What is a data breach?
Data breaches can happen at any time at any business or service that you have used, and chances are, you have already used a product owned by a company associated with a data breach. You may have heard about recent data breaches at the Oregon Department of Human Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Facebook. Frustratingly, data breaches are becoming increasingly common, so it’s important for you to be prepared in case your information is stolen.
A data breach is a security incident during which information is accessed without your authorization. Hackers could steal your personal information, including your Social Security Number, credit card information, and your date of birth. Your identity could be stolen with this information. Data breaches can hurt businesses and consumers, and the damages can take time to repair.
Have you been the victim of a data breach? Protect your identity!
If you have been notified by a company that you’re a victim of a data breach, you should do the following to prevent your identity from being stolen:
- Learn about what was stolen. Some types of information is more sensitive than others, and while things like names and addresses are not as detrimental, stolen social security numbers or credit card numbers could cause more problems.
- Change your passwords. Change the password for the compromised account, and if you use that password with any other accounts, change those too.
- If your financial information was stolen, get in contact with your banks and credit card companies as soon as possible. You need to tell the bank or card issuer that you have been the victim of a data breach, and they will likely provide you with a new card.
- Get in touch with the three major credit-reporting bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian). You can place a fraud alert on your account; they are free and can be renewed annually. A freeze prevents anyone from running a credit report on you or opening an account in your name.
- Sign up for a credit-monitoring service. There are many services to choose from, and many large companies who have been hacked will offer free credit monitoring for victims.
Was your identity stolen? Hire the Consumer Law Firm of Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C..
If you’ve been the victim of a data breach and your identity has been stolen, your financial reputation may be at risk. Hire the Consumer Law Firm of Francis Mailman Soumilas, P.C. to help you. We have dealt with hundreds of identity theft cases, so we have the expertise to help you get your identity back. Call us at 877-735-8600 or fill out our online form for a free case review. If we decide to take your case, you pay nothing out of pocket!