What To Do After A Data Breach

Data Protection Unfortunately, data breaches are becoming all too common in our society now a days. With all the technology being used to prevent breaches from happening, the other guys are using technology to breach. This is the world we live in today. So, what we need to do as consumers is learn the steps on what to do after we have been breached. With millions of people getting hit in a single breach, it’s not what to do to prevent it from happening, but what to do once it happens. It's not fun to think about, but you need to be vigilant if it happens to you.

Here are some steps to help protect yourself after a data breach:

Check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — for free — by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to find out what to do.
Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won’t prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts.
Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for charges you don’t recognize.
If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. A fraud alert warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they should verify that anyone seeking credit in your name really is you.
File your taxes early — as soon as you have the tax information you need, before a scammer can. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.

These are some tips you should follow after a breach has occurred no matter how large or small the breach maybe, you never know if you have been affected.

Visit: https://www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen to learn more about protecting yourself after a data breach.

Note: As of October 5, 2017 Equifax extended the enrollment period for free credit monitoring from November 21, 2017 to January 31, 2018.