National Public Data, which aggregates data to provide background checks, has confirmed it suffered a massive data breach involving Social Security numbers and other personal data on millions of Americans. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from identity theft.
Was I Impacted by the National Data Breach?
First, check to see if you were impacted by the data breach. Cybersecurity firm Pentester said it got the leaked data and created a tool to see if your personal information was in the data breach – it shows names, addresses, address histories, and Social Security numbers. Click here to use the tool.
What Should You Do If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft
If you think your data has been compromised, consider the following steps:
- Closely monitor your financial accounts. If you notice any unauthorized activity, immediately contact your financial institution.
- Place a free fraud alert on your credit file, which means creditors will contact you before any new accounts are opened in your name, or changes are made to your existing accounts. You can reach Equifax at 800.685.1111, Experian at 888-397-3742 and TransUnion at 888.909.8872.
- Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit reporting agencies to obtain a free credit report at 877-322-8228 or by clicking here. Then, review your free credit report for accounts and inquiries that you don't recognize, which may be signs of identity theft.
- Consider a free credit freeze, making opening new accounts in your name less likely. You can temporarily lift or remove any such freeze.
Because financial institutions use Social Security numbers on applications for loans, credit cards, and investments, having that information available to hackers poses a serious risk.
In the event of identity theft, contact the FTC.
How Do I Protect Myself From Identity Theft?
Here are some security recommendations to help protect yourself going forward:
- Use a password vault program. They're a simple way to create unique, complex passwords for all the different websites you log into. This way, if a hacker gets one password, they won't gain access to all the other accounts you use as well.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code to be sent to your phone or email in addition to your password.
- Keep your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
- Be cautious of emails, texts, or calls asking for personal information. Never click on links or download attachments from suspicious sources.
- Avoid conducting sensitive online activities on public Wi-Fi networks. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data.
- Watch our Password Security video for more tips from a cybersecurity expert.
Data Breach & Identity Theft Protection: Speak With a Cybersecurity Expert
Reach out to our security team to get answers to any security questions or concerns you may have. Our team of experts is willing and able to help keep your personal data safe and secure.