Identity Theft Protection Tips to Follow in The Event of a Breach

One of the main motivations behind many cyberattacks is hackers’ search for personal information to use for identity theft and financial fraud schemes. Whether your data is used to open new lines of credit, illegally access healthcare, or file bogus tax claims, being compromised on such a personal level can inflict long-lasting pain.

“Preventing cyber threats is key, but you also need a solid action plan to minimize damage if they do occur.”  –  Jeremy Wanamaker, CEO of Complete Network.

With the right intelligence, you can minimize the fallout of identity theft following a data breach. Let’s look at the steps that someone dealing with a recent breach can use to handle the situation and come out unharmed.

Step One – Post-Breach Assessment

Following a data breach where your identity is compromised, the first step is to examine your vulnerabilities. Above all else, you want to know what was stolen so you can understand how it might be used. Each piece of information presents different risks and requires specific actions to prevent misuse. Here are some examples:

Less Sensitive: Usernames, passwords, email addresses

Sensitive: Full names, physical addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, driver’s license details

Highly Sensitive: Social Security numbers, passport information, credit card details, bank account details, health records

Step Two – Take Preventative Action

After you’ve determined the severity of the breach, the next step is to implement preventative action. The next section – arranged from simple precautions to more drastic measures – will guide you through your decision-making.

Change Your Passwords – Immediately change passwords for all accounts involved as well as any other accounts using similar passwords. Use strong, unique passwords for each account, ideally with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Also, be sure to use a password manager to neatly and securely store this information.

Stay Informed About the Breach – Watch for updates from the company involved in the breach. They’re typically obligated by law to provide details on the affected data, affected individuals, and recommended steps forward for those impacted.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication – Also known as 2FA or two-step verification – activate this setting wherever possible. Despite adding another step to the login process, like a one-time code sent to your phone, 2FA makes success harder for hackers.

Clean Up Your Data – Reducing your online footprint can greatly minimize your risk of identity theft. We recommend that you consider using one of the many services that scan for and remove your personal information from data broker sites. While not free, some services offer additional peace of mind by providing credit monitoring, identity theft insurance, and restoration services.

Freeze Your Credit – Though drastic, a credit freeze is an effective way to prevent criminals from opening new accounts in your name. It becomes especially useful in situations where fraudsters are actively exploiting your data for gain.

File a Police Report – If you become aware of bad actors using your personal information to steal and commit fraud in your name, notify the police. While local law enforcement may not have the resources to directly address cybercrime, having an official record of the incident creates a paper trail that can be crucial for resolving disputes with creditors or financial institutions.

Step Three – Ongoing Vigilance

The aftermath of identity theft isn’t a one-time event – it requires consistent and persistent vigilance. Following a compromise, you need to focus on three key areas: monitoring financial statements, practicing smart cyber hygiene, and remaining cautious of phishing scams.

Monitor Financial Statements and Reports

Regularly reviewing your financial statements and credit history is your frontline defense against ongoing identity theft attempts. Make it a habit to closely review your bank and credit card statements monthly, scrutinizing every transaction. Additionally, keep an eye on your credit reports from all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

Also, consider setting up account alerts with your bank and credit card companies to notify you of any unusual activity.

Practice Strong Cyber Hygiene

Good cyber hygiene is foundational in responding to identity theft. As we’ve outlined, the keys to success revolve around:

Strong, unique passwords for all your accounts, and reputable password managers to keep these details secure.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

Keep your software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches.

Be cautious about the information you share on social media to avoid providing thieves with additional personal data.

Remain Cautious of Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks have become 341% more prevalent in recent years. Phishing occurs when criminals use deceit and social engineering to trick their victims into revealing sensitive information. We advise you to always maintain a skeptical mindset when dealing with digital communications.  The average officer worker receives 121 emails each day and approximately 1.2% of these emails will be malicious.

Here are some common red flags to watch for.

• Requests for sensitive information via email or text
• Unexpected attachments or links
• Poor grammar or spelling errors
• Generic greetings instead of your name
• Threats or extreme urgency in the message
• Random solicitation to update or verify your account information

Vigilance is Key to Preventing Data Breaches

The cunning of cybercriminals, coupled with our growing reliance on digital platforms, has created an environment where personal information is constantly at risk. However, this reality doesn’t mean we’re helpless. On the contrary, being informed and prepared gives us better control over what happens next.

• Time is of the essence when responding to identity theft situations. The faster you act, the more you can mitigate potential damage.
• Keep yourself updated about the specifics of the breach and follow the instructions provided by the affected company.
• Change passwords immediately, especially for accounts related to the breach or those using similar credentials.
• Regularly check your credit reports and financial records to spot signs of unusual activity.
• Learn all you can about common scams and phishing tactics to better protect yourself in the future.

Lastly, consider identity theft protection services for professional-grade monitoring and support. If you suspect that your data has been compromised and you’re concerned about what may be on the horizon, we can help.

Stop Data Breaches Through Strategic Partnership

We hope you’ve come to understand what you can do to prevent breaches, and what you should do if one does occur. If you’d like help protecting your network against data breaches, the Complete Network team has been helping businesses gain decisive control over their cybersecurity and training requirements for over two decades.

Contact us any time, we’re here to help!