Data Breach: A Savvy Guide to Protect Yourself and Your Data

What is a Data Breach?

A data breach is when personal information such as names, addresses, email accounts, passwords, and/or Social Security numbers are hacked or stolen. 

Stolen data may or may not be used by cybercriminals for fraud or identity theft. If your Social Security number or other personal information was compromised in a data breach, it means your information is accessible to cybercriminals, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will use it.

While you can’t stop theft from happening, you can take proactive steps to protect your identity and accounts.

What to Do Now

We understand that news of a cyberattack or data breach can be very upsetting and feel like a violation of privacy. We want you to have all the information needed so you feel empowered to take action today and protect yourself moving forward. 

Here are some next steps you can take to check your information, protect your accounts, and prevent theft and fraud.

Check Your Social Security Number

To see if your Social Security number was part of the National Public Data breach, Pentester, a cybersecurity firm, has set up an easy online tool to check your information. Here’s how to access the tool:

• Go to npd.pentester.com
• Enter your first and last name.
• Enter the state you live in. 
• Add your birth year. 

You’ll see a list of any breached accounts with your information, including the last four digits of the leaked Social Security numbers.

Monitor Your Credit Reports

One of the best ways to protect your information is to check your credit report regularly. Reviewing your credit report is the best way to spot inaccuracies, unusual activity, and fraud. 

Here are a few ways to check your report:

• Login to SavvyMoney. If you are enrolled in SavvyMoney through your financial services provider, you can check your credit report daily through online banking to see if there are any new inquiries on your TransUnion credit report. If SavvyMoney sees any inquiries or new activity on your credit report, we will notify you via email to review the activity. 

• Review Your Credit Report From All Three Bureaus. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion allow you to get a free copy of your credit report weekly. Contact each bureau to get a copy of your credit report.

• Set Up 3-Bureau Credit Monitoring. SavvyMoney is already monitoring your TransUnion credit report, but for extra protection, consider enrolling in a paid service to monitor all three credit bureaus at once. Several vendors offer a 3-bureau credit monitoring service. 

Set Up Fraud Alerts

A fraud alert is a note added to your credit file that you may be, or have potentially been, a victim of identity theft. It can be a good option if you’re concerned about identity theft but don’t want to limit a lender’s access to your credit report.

Contact TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax to set up and remove alerts.

Check Statements

Monitor your credit card, investment accounts, and banking statements for suspicious activity, unexpected charges, or unauthorized transactions. Continue to be vigilant about checking your statements and keep an eye out for irregularities. 

What Can I Do if My Social Security Number is Stolen?

If you think your Social Security number has been stolen, contact the Federal Trade Commission and the Internal Revenue Service immediately.

File a Claim with the Federal Trade Commission

To file a claim go to identitytheft.gov and report the incident. You’ll receive a personal recovery plan that walks you through steps to protect yourself and recover your identity. You can also call the FTC at 1-877-438-4337.

Contact the IRS

If your Social Security number has been stolen, contact the Internal Revenue Service. They can help prevent cyber thieves from using your SSN to file a fraudulent tax return or receive a tax refund. For more information visit Identity Theft Central at irs.gov.

What If I’m a Victim of Fraud?

If you suspect fraudulent or unauthorized transactions, take the following steps immediately:

Contact the Company

Call the fraud department at the company where the unauthorized transactions occurred. Tell them your identity was stolen and you did not authorize the purchases. If it’s a retailer or service you have an account with, you may need to close or freeze your account until it’s cleared up.

Talk to Your Financial Institution

Contact your bank, credit union, or credit card company if you see fraudulent purchases or charges in your accounts. Each financial institution has different procedures for fraud and theft, so let them know what happened and follow their instructions to resolve the issue.

Freeze Your Credit

If you are concerned about unauthorized access to your credit file, you can request a credit freeze. A credit freeze is a service you set up with the three credit bureaus to restrict access to your credit report. When your credit is frozen it prevents someone from opening a new line of credit in your name.

To freeze your credit, contact each credit bureau individually. The service is free, it’s simple to set up online, and you can unfreeze your accounts whenever you want. Just remember to unfreeze your credit if you are applying for a new line of credit.

Here are the credit freeze links to each of the bureaus:

• TransUnion Credit Freeze
• Equifax Security Freeze
• Experian Freeze

Bottom Line

No one knows when a cyber attack or data breach will occur. We all hope they never happen, but with much of our lives online, it’s more a question of when not if. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to be mindful of your online presence, proactively monitor your accounts, and set up alerts for additional security.

Cybercriminals will be vigilant in their efforts to steal and defraud. Staying ahead of them by being prepared secures your data and gives you the peace of mind you need.