As we spend more time online, the possibilities of our personal information being exposed resulting from a knowledge breach increase drastically, and with it, the danger of identity theft and potential credit problems.
A data breach can expose your sensitive data, like your bank card or social security number. This could result in fraudsters making unauthorized purchases, opening up credit accounts in your name and more, all of which might damage your credit history.
Let’s take a take a look at how data breaches occur, the results of identity theft and the steps you’ll be able to take to guard your credit.
What Is a Data Breach?
A knowledge breach, or data leak, is a cybersecurity incident where hackers or other unauthorized individuals get access to people’s personal or financial information.
Information that may be compromised in a knowledge breach includes:
- Social security numbers
- Birth dates
- Passport numbers
- Account passwords
- Home addresses
- Emails
- Bank card numbers
- Medical records
How do data breaches occur?
Data breaches often occur when cybercriminals infiltrate an organization’s computer systems and networks. Hackers may deploy malware, like viruses and trojans, to achieve distant access to databases and steal or manipulate data. They may make the most of security vulnerabilities in software or web sites, comparable to outdated software or flaws within the programming code.
Cybercriminals commonly use phishing attacks as well, where they pretend to be a trustworthy entity and deceive you into sharing sensitive information. Phishing often is available in the shape of fraudulent emails or web sites designed to look legitimate, tricking users into sharing their credentials or downloading malicious software.
Nevertheless, it is also possible for data leaks to occur resulting from an insider threat. These incidents occur when an worker steals or mishandles data. Moreover, security incidents can occur if devices, like laptops or smartphones, are lost or stolen and are accessed by an unauthorized third party.
How Data Breaches Can Result in Identity Theft
In case your information is exposed due to a knowledge leak, it’s possible you’ll develop into a victim of identity theft. This could have long-term financial consequences and a negative impact in your credit.
What’s identity theft?
Identity theft is the act of unlawfully obtaining and using another person’s personal information, comparable to their social security number, without their permission. This is usually done to commit fraud or other crimes, often for financial gain.
What do hackers do along with your information?
Hackers and other identity thieves may use your information to open bank card accounts, make unauthorized purchases, apply for loans, request government aid and more.
Moreover, hackers may use your data to do phishing campaigns, which involves crafting convincing emails or messages that appear legitimate to trick recipients into sharing their passwords, verification keys and other confidential information. This tactic allows hackers to access more of your accounts and steal much more data.
They may sell sensitive data like bank card numbers or login credentials on the dark web to other fraudsters.
Potential Impact Of Identity Theft On Your Credit
Identity theft can severely impact your credit history if a fraudster uses your personal information to use for bank cards, take out loans or make unauthorized purchases. If these fraudulent activities go undetected for several months, your credit rating will likely drop resulting from missed payments and high levels of debt incurred by the thief.
Once your credit rating drops, you would possibly get denied when applying for loans or bank cards. And in case you do qualify for these financial products, you will pay higher rates of interest and have lower credit limits. It’s possible you’ll also find it difficult to rent an apartment, as most landlords now run credit checks.
What To Do After A Data Breach
After a knowledge breach, you need to take immediate motion to safeguard your online accounts and credit history. These are the steps you need to follow:
- Check your monthly statements for fraudulent transactions and notify your bank or bank card company in case you find any.
Usually check your credit report for accounts that you simply didn’t open yourself. - If you happen to find any evidence of identity theft in your monthly bills or credit report, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
- File a police report along with your local police department.
- Arrange a credit freeze to dam access to your credit report to forestall fraudsters from opening accounts in your name.
- As an alternative of a credit freeze, you would request a fraud alert. This lets creditors know that they need to take extra steps to confirm your identity before approving a credit application.
- If you happen to find any fraudulent accounts in your credit report, dispute them by contacting the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and Transunion).
- Change the passwords of all your affected accounts, and ensure they’re strong and unique. Avoid easily guessable words or phrases and think about using a password manager.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible so as to add an additional layer of security.
One other step it’s possible you’ll consider is signing up for a credit monitoring service to assist keep track of any further fraudulent activity.
For more information on what to do after a knowledge breach, try our guide on how you can protect yourself from identity theft.
What To Know About Data Breaches, ID Theft And Your Credit FAQ
What does it mean when your password has appeared in a knowledge leak?
This implies your password was exposed during a knowledge breach. This happens when an unauthorized individual gains access to an organization’s database and steals login credentials. Fraudsters could sell the compromised data on the dark web or use it to access your accounts and steal much more information. If this happens, ensure that to alter the exposed passwords immediately.
What must you do in case you suspect you might be the victim of identity theft?
You must report the crime to the FTC by filing a web based form through IdentityTheft.gov. Moreover, you need to monitor your financial accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity, comparable to unauthorized charges on bank cards you didn’t apply for. If you happen to find any, report it to your creditors and the credit bureaus.
How can I repair my credit after identity theft?
Start by filing a report with the FTC and your local police department. You must then notify your creditors and the credit bureaus of the fraudulent information in your accounts or credit reports and supply them with copies of the identity theft reports. The creditors and bureaus will investigate the case and take away or delete any information that is linked to the identity theft.