The National Public Data Breach: Steps to Take to Protect Yourself

You likely heard rumblings on news outlets and social sites that a recent data breach impacted millions of Americans. Unfortunately, the news is true: 2.9 billion records dating back three decades were stolen within the breach, including social security numbers, names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and more.

In short, a cybercriminal group accessed the network of National Public Data and in April, posted a database of 2.9 billion records on the dark web, available to hackers for a price.

With so many individuals affected and so much data potentially available, now is the best time to take steps to protect yourself, your hard-earned money, and your financial future. Below, we have outlined six key actions you can take to help keep you safe.

1. Check Your Statements and Credit Reports. Although we often give this advice with the hundreds of scams out there today, it is especially important now. Ensure you set aside time to review your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious charges, and contact your bank immediately if you notice anything amiss.  Similarly, you should also take the time to review your credit reports, beyond just your credit scores, to make sure there have been no recent unexpected credit checks. Review your history on all three major credit reporting agencies  – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – each organization is required to provide free reports to all consumers. Additionally, due to the magnitude of this breach, parents will want to be on the lookout for any red flags signaling their child(ren)’s data has been compromised. These include credit card offers in the mail, tax bills from the IRS or other notices from bill collectors. A child’s credit can also be reviewed annually.

2. Freeze Your Credit. Unless you are planning a major credit purchase (home, vehicle, new line of credit, etc.) within the next few days, it is advisable to freeze your credit. This “setting” for your credit is also free, fast and easy to complete, and can be lifted quickly as needed. Freezing your credit prevents unauthorized borrowing by preventing creditors from accessing your credit report. To freeze your credit, simply visit the three reporting agency websites and request a freeze online. You can manage both freezing and unfreezing at each of these direct links: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit freezes can also be requested via phone or mail if you prefer, however this often takes more time.

3. Review and Update Your Passwords. Long before the threat of online scams, many people used the same username and password for every login. With data breaches seemingly happening daily, this is strongly inadvisable. One compromised password provides easy access to all of your accounts. Use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters that are difficult to guess, and never repeat a password for another account. You may also consider a password manager to more securely track these stronger passwords for you.

4. Use Multi-Factor Authentication. This extra layer of protection, also known as “MFA,” is a more secure option for logging into your account. The company you are logging into will send you a text message, email or call via phone to share a one-time code to confirm you are logging into your account. Always opt in to MFA when available, to help keep your accounts safer. You will receive a new code each time you login. Never share these codes with anyone.

5. Consider Identity Theft Protection. A paid identity protection service is a great option to help protect personal information, finances, and potential time spent correcting any fraudulent activity. Some services even work to remove any secure information found on the dark web.

6. Stay Up to Date on Scams. Online thieves develop new ways to attempt to steal your money more often than you may realize. Never, ever share your personal information with someone that has contacted you first, urgently requiring your social security number, address, phone number, or other personal information. Read more about current and common scams

As scammers get smarter and personal information appears more readily available than ever, following these steps will help protect you now and in the future. We encourage you to remain vigilant, stay connected to your finances, and be wary of suspicious activity to keep your identity and finances safe.

At Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Co., we offer a variety of fraud protection services as a benefit for account holders. Learn more about our accounts. If you’re concerned about potential fraud or unsure about a message you received, please call “The Best Bank in Town” at (859) 233-4500.

This post is for informational purposes only. No one method alone will protect from fraud.

Member FDIC   |   Equal Housing Lender