In this day and age, we are reliant on technology for almost every aspect of daily life. Technology can be helpful, innovative, and fun, but it also opens you up to an increasingly common risk: data breaches.

Every year, millions of individuals and businesses fall victim to hackers and scammers, putting their sensitive and financial data at risk. But what should you do if you are the victim of a data breach? This purpose of this post is to offer practical guidance for those who may find themselves in a position where their data has been compromised.

1. Identify a breach

So how do you know you have had a data breach? You may receive a notification from your bank or a service provider about unusual activity, transactions, or logins on your accounts. Always verify such alerts by directly contacting the company’s official customer service. Do not click any links or call any phone numbers in the email until you have verified that this is a legitimate notification.
You may also receive an email directly from scammers which say they have access to your personal data. NEVER open these emails, report them as phishing to your email provider immediately.
If you receive a phone call, do not give out any personal information, advise that you will be ending the call and contacting the company directly yourself using their official contact details. If they try to convince you not to do this, it is likely to be a fraudulent call.

2. Secure Your Accounts

Once you confirm that your data has been compromised, the first step is to secure all affected accounts. Change the passwords for any compromised accounts and for any others that use the same password. To strengthen security, consider using a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords.

Additionally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a one-time passcode—sent via text, email, phone call, or an authenticator app—each time you log in. This ensures that even if scammers have your password, they cannot access your accounts without the passcode.

3. Check Your Accounts and Credit Reports

Even if you do not think your financial data has been compromised, you should still keep an eye on bank statements, credit card activity, and accounts for any suspicious transactions.
You can also check your credit report to catch and report any applications which may have been made in your name.

4. Report the Breach

If you were not notified of the breach by the company who handled your data, you should contact them to report it. This allows them to investigate and potentially save another individual’s information being leaked.

If you believe your data was compromised through mishandling, you can raise a complaint with your country’s data protection organisation, for example, the ICO in the UK.
You should also contact law enforcement if the data was financial or sensitive, such as ID information.

5. Consider Freezing Your Credit

A credit freeze can prevent unauthorised individuals from opening new credit accounts in your name. If you are concerned about the potential for identity theft, contact one of the 3 main credit reference agencies: Experian, TransUnion or Equifax, to freeze your credit.

You can also freeze your debit or credit cards through most online banking apps which prevents them being used for purchases but does NOT stop direct debits and regular payments from coming out. If you do not recognise a direct debit or regular payment on your account, you can verify and dispute it with your bank.

6. Watch for Signs of Identity Theft

Watch for signs that your identity may have been stolen, such as unfamiliar bills, credit card offers or being contacted by debt collectors about debts you did not incur. If you spot any suspicious activity, act quickly to minimise the damage by contacting your bank and one of the three credit reference agencies.

7. Prevent Future Breaches

While you cannot always prevent a breach, you can take steps to protect yourself in the future. Always use strong, unique passwords, avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails, and keep your devices’ software updated. Additionally, using reliable security software can help protect you from malware and phishing attacks.
Conclusion:

Data breaches can happen to anyone, but by acting quickly and following the steps outlined above, you can reduce the damage and protect yourself from further harm. Stay vigilant and share these tips with your loved ones to help keep everyone safe in the digital age.

Your digital security is crucial, and taking proactive steps can make a significant difference.  If you found this information helpful, please consider exploring our comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. Our services are designed to protect your sensitive data, prevent breaches, and ensure your peace of mind. You can find out more about our cybersecurity solutions here.

Kate Aindow – Risk and Compliance Manager