.webp)
Receiving a data breach notification can be alarming, but knowing what to do after a data breach can help reduce your risk of fraud and identify theft. Start by finding out what information was exposed, then take steps to secure affected accounts, monitor your financial activity, and watch for follow-up scams.
What Is a Data Breach?
A data breach occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to information held by an organization. Depending on the incident, exposed information may include:
- Email addresses
- Usernames and passwords
- Phone numbers
- Home or mailing addresses
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license information
- Bank account information
- Credit or debit card information
Not every data breach results in fraud or identify theft. However, criminals may use stolen information to attempt account takeovers, phishing attacks, identity theft, financial fraud, or other scams.
What Should You Do After a Data Breach?
1. Read the Breach Notification Carefully
Start by reviewing the notification you received. It should explain what happened, what information may have been involved, and what steps the organization recommends.
Pay particular attention to which types of information were exposed. This will help you determine which protective measures are most important.
Keep a copy of the notification for your records.
2. Change Compromised or Reused Passwords
If your password is exposed, change it immediately.
Use a unique password for every account and make passwords long and difficult to guess. A reputable password manager can make it easier to manage unique passwords without having to remember them all.
If you reused the exposed password on other websites or services, change those passwords too.
Don't wait for suspicious activity before changing a compromised password.
3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection beyond your password.
With MFA enabled, someone who obtains your password may still be unable to access your account without the additional authentication factor.
Enable MFA whenever it is available, especially for:
- Email accounts
- Online banking and financial accounts
- Shopping accounts
- Social media
- Cloud storage
When available, consider stronger authentication options such as an authenticator app or passkey rather than relying solely on text-message codes.
4. Monitor Your Financial Accounts
Review your financial accounts regularly following a breach. Check your:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Credit card accounts
- Loan accounts
- Payment apps
- Other financial accounts connected to the affected organization
Look for transactions, withdrawals, or account changes you don't recognize.
Many financial institutions offer account alerts that can notify you about transactions or other changes. If you see unauthorized activity, contact the financial institution promptly and follow its instructions for reporting it.
5. Review Your Credit Accounts
Reviewing your credit reports can help you identify signs that someone may be using your information.
Look for:
- Credit accounts you don't recognize
- Credit inquiries you didn't authorize
- Incorrect personal information
- Other unfamiliar activity
In the United States, you can obtain your official credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.
If you find an account or inquiry you don't recognize, investigate it promptly.
6. Consider a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze
If sensitive information such as your Social Security number was exposed, consider whether a fraud alert or credit freeze is appropriate.
A fraud alert asks businesses to take additional steps to verify your identity before extending certain types of credit.
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit file and can make it more difficult for someone to open certain new credit accounts in your name.
A credit freeze does not prevent all types of identity theft or account fraud, so you should continue monitoring your existing accounts.
Credit freezes are free to place and remove with the major nationwide credit reporting agencies.
Be Alert for Follow-up Scams
A data breach can create opportunities for criminals to target you again.
For example, someone who has obtained your information may send a convincing email or text message pretending to be your bank, the organization involved in the breach, a government agency, or another company you recognize.
Be cautious of unexpected:
- Emails asking you to verify your account
- Text messages containing links
- Phone calls requesting personal information
- Password reset notifications you didn't request
- Requests for authentication or verification codes
- Messages claiming your account will be closed until you act immediately
Don't assume a message is legitimate simply because it contains accurate information about you.
When in doubt, don't click the link or use the phone number provided in the message. Instead, contact the organization through its official website, mobile app, or a phone number you already know is legitimate.
Never provide a password, authentication code, or other sensitive information simply because someone contacted you unexpectedly.
What If You Discover Fraud?
If you discover that someone has actually used your information, act quickly.
Depending on the situation, you may need to:
- Contact the affected financial institution or company and report the unauthorized activity; for Firstrust Bank, call 800-220-BANK.
- Change compromised passwords
- Review your credit reports for additional suspicious activity
- Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze
- Document suspicious activity and the steps you've taken
- Report identify theft or fraud through appropriate government or law-enforcement channels
Taking action quickly can help limit further unauthorized activity.
Protect Yourself Year-Round
You don't have to wait for a data breach to strengthen your cybersecurity.
A few simple habits can reduce your risk:
- Use a unique password for every important account
- Enable multi-factor authentication
- Keep your devices and software updated
- Review financial and credit activity regularly
- Set up account alerts when available
- Be cautious with unexpected emails, calls, and text messages
- Don't click suspicious links or attachments
- Verify requests for sensitive information independently
- Limit the amount of personal information you share publicly
No security measure can completely eliminate the risk of a data breach or identity theft. The goal is to make it harder for criminals to use your information and to identify suspicious activity as quickly as possible.
Final Thoughts
A data breach doesn't automatically mean that someone will steal your identity or commit fraud in your name. But it does mean you should take the notification seriously and understand what information may have been exposed.
Start by reading the breach notification carefully. Then prioritize the steps that apply to the information involved - such as changing compromised passwords, enabling MFA, monitoring financial accounts, reviewing your credit reports, or considering a fraud alert or credit freeze.
Just as importantly, stay alert for follow-up phishing and impersonation attempts. Criminals may use information from a breach to make future scams look more convincing.
Staying informed, acting promptly, and maintaining good cybersecurity habits are some of the most effective ways to protect your personal and financial information.
This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal, financial, or cybersecurity advice. Specific steps may vary depending on the type of information exposed, the circumstances of the breach, and applicable laws or regulations.
