Who Can Be Affected by a Data Breach?

Anyone can be affected by a data breach. If you’ve ever gone shopping online, were treated by a doctor, enrolled in school, gotten a job, applied for a credit card, stayed at a hotel, joined a gym, used social media, or signed up for a bank account, your personally identifiable information is put into a database and stored electronically. This can include any information and data that identifies you such as bank account numbers, your social security number, your address and phone number, and even your health information.

According to CNBC, one out of every ten people are victims of identity fraud every year and 21% have been victims on more than one occasion.

How Do Cybercriminals Steal Personally Identifiable Information?

There are several ways a cybercriminal can obtain your personal data, from “phishing” attacks that use fraudulent emails to malware attacks that use viruses or spyware. Cybercriminals also steal data through ransomware attacks, in which they demand that a ransom be paid to stop them from leaking the stolen information.

Cybercriminals have used these tactics to access the networks of hospitals, schools, banks, chain stores, social media sites, government entities, and cloud storage networks that store vast quantities of data for dozens of companies. Critically, at least 36 billion records were exposed in data breaches throughout 2020, according to Security Magazine.

Depending upon how much information is contained in each record, they might be sold on the internet for anywhere from a few cents to over $1,000. The stolen data, according to Credit Karma, is used to carry out identity fraud and theft and fraudulently obtain health insurance. Cybercriminals may also use it to steal airline miles, file fake tax returns, and open phone or utility accounts. Additionally, stolen data is sometimes used to commit extortion.

How Can You Keep Your Information Secure?

You may not necessarily have control over whether your personally identifiable information is stolen in a data breach of a company or entity that retains your information. However, you can still take certain measures to protect your devices at home to reduce the risk of identity theft.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends the following measures to help protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft:

• Store financial documents offline
• Use a utility wipe program to erase data before disposing of an old computer
• Erase the data and remove the SIM card from a mobile device prior to disposing it
• Look for the “lock icon” on the status bar of the internet browser before transmitting information through the website
• Use encryption and security software
• Be cautious when using public WiFi
• Lock your laptop
• Be wary of opening emails sent by strangers

Importantly, if you think you may have been hacked or have become a victim of identity theft, you should pull your credit report and check it for any unusual activity. Additionally, you can file a police report as well as an identity theft report with the FTC. Other measures you can take include phoning the creditors and addressing the matter with the fraud department and placing an extended alert on your credit file.

Can You File a Lawsuit if You Were a Victim of a Data Breach?

If you were a victim of a data breach, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit or join a class action if a company or entity that stored your information didn’t take proper measures to safeguard it. It’s best to discuss your legal rights and remedies with an experienced attorney.