Data breaches reached near-record levels in 2024, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, with 3,158 total compromises and 1.35 billion victim notices, a staggering 211% increase compared to the previous year. What steps can you take to protect your sensitive information?
Here are several measures you can implement to enhance your security, both preventatively and in response to a potential breach:
Strengthen Your Passwords
Be proactive by creating strong, unique passwords for every online account you establish. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple platforms because if one account is compromised, the others remain vulnerable. If a password is leaked during *** data breach, scammers won’t gain access to all of your accounts.
Immediately change your password for the affected account if you discover that your information has been involved in a data breach. Regularly updating your passwords can also limit potential damage.
Monitor Your Credit Reports
Keep a close eye on your credit reports for any suspicious activity. You can obtain free weekly online reports from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. These reports allow you to detect and address any unauthorized access to your credit history.
Free weekly reports were implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and became permanent in October 2023.
Consider a Credit Freeze
Freezing your credit can protect you from unauthorized access. Credit freezes can be implemented online, by phone, or by mail. When done online, the freeze can be easily lifted when you need to apply for a new loan or credit card.
Additional Resources
For further assistance, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website, identitytheft.gov. Navigate to the recovery steps and choose the option that best suits your circumstances, based on the type of information compromised such as Social Security number or passwords.
Reporting in Washington, I’m Amy Lou.
