You hear about data breaches in the news all the time. From major companies and retailers to healthcare providers and financial institutions, no organization is completely immune to cyberattacks. But what exactly is a data breach, and what does it mean for you?

A data breach occurs when sensitive, confidential, or personal information is accessed, disclosed, or stolen without authorization. This information may include names, addresses, Social Security numbers, account numbers, credit or debit card information, passwords, and other personal details.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals can use this information to commit identity theft, access financial accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or create convincing scams designed to trick you into sharing even more personal information.

The important thing to remember is that just because your information was exposed in a data breach doesn’t necessarily mean it has already been used fraudulently. However, it does mean you should take steps to protect yourself.

How Can I Protect My Information?

While you can’t prevent every data breach, there are several things you can do to make it harder for criminals to access your personal information.

• Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid using the same password across multiple websites and accounts. Consider using a password manager to create and securely store complex passwords.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Whenever available, turn on MFA for your financial, email, and other important accounts. This adds another layer of security beyond your password.
• Keep your devices and software updated. Install security updates on your computer, smartphone, apps, and web browsers to help protect against known security vulnerabilities.
• Be cautious of unexpected messages. Emails, text messages, and phone calls may appear to come from legitimate companies but could be attempts to steal your information. Never click suspicious links or provide personal information in response to an unexpected request.
• Monitor your financial accounts. Regularly review your bank and credit card transactions for unfamiliar activity. Consider setting up account alerts to notify you of transactions and changes.
• Protect your personal documents. Store sensitive information securely and shred documents containing personal or financial information before throwing them away.

What Should I Do If My Information Was Exposed in a Data Breach?

First, don’t panic! Receiving a data breach notification doesn’t automatically mean you’ve become a victim of identity theft. However, it’s important to understand what information was exposed and take the appropriate precautions.

Here are some steps you can take depending on the information involved:

If your password was exposed:

• Change the compromised password immediately.
• If you used that same password on other websites or accounts, change those passwords as well.
• Use a unique password for each account.
• Enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.

Start with your email account, especially if it is used to reset passwords for other accounts.

If your credit or debit card information was exposed:

• Contact your financial institution using the phone number on the back of your card or its official website.
• Report the potential exposure and ask whether your card should be blocked or replaced.
• Review recent transactions and report any unauthorized purchases immediately.
• Monitor your account for suspicious activity.

If your bank account information was exposed:

• Contact your financial institution immediately.
• Ask whether additional security measures or an account change are necessary.
• Monitor your account closely for unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, or other suspicious transactions.

If your Social Security number was exposed:

• Consider placing a security freeze with all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A credit freeze is free and makes it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name.
• Review your credit reports for accounts or activity you don’t recognize. You can obtain free credit reports through www.AnnualCreditReport.com
• Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports.
• Monitor your tax records and be alert for unexpected IRS notices or tax-related identity theft.

Remember, a credit freeze does not prevent someone from accessing existing financial accounts, so continue monitoring your accounts.

Watch Out for Scams After a Data Breach

One thing to remember is that data breaches can create opportunities for additional scams. Criminals may use the information they obtained to make emails, text messages, or phone calls appear more believable.

For example, you might receive a message claiming to be from your financial institution asking you to verify your account because of a recent security issue. The message may look legitimate, but it could be an attempt to steal your login credentials or personal information.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Never share your password, PIN, or one-time security codes with someone who contacts you.
• Don’t click links in unexpected emails or text messages.
• Contact the company directly using a verified phone number or website if you have questions.
• Be suspicious of anyone creating a sense of urgency or pressuring you to act immediately.

Where Can I Get Help?

If you believe your personal information has been compromised or you suspect identity theft, there are resources available to help.

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and receive a personalized recovery plan.
• Credit Reports: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to review your credit reports.
• Credit Freezes: Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place a free security freeze.

At Coastline Federal Credit Union, protecting your financial information is important to us. While you can’t always prevent a data breach, staying informed, recognizing potential scams, and taking proactive steps can go a long way toward protecting your identity and your finances.

Remember: Stay alert, protect your information, and when something doesn’t feel right, stop and verify before you act!