What to do if your personal information is exposed in a data breach
Change your password, check your credit card statements and set up fraud alerts


It is no one's idea of a good day to receive an alert that your personal information may have been exposed in a data breach. Unfortunately, these breaches are not uncommon. Just a few weeks ago, there was "a massive data breach that compromised the Social Security numbers and other data of millions of Americans," including their names and addresses, said USA Today.
While it may be tempting to shrug this kind of thing off, there actually are steps you can — and should — take in the event that your sensitive information is compromised. Making these moves now can help prevent further issues down the road.
Change your passwords and secure your accounts
"If your data has been exposed, the first thing you should do is change your password for the account involved," said The Associated Press. This applies for all websites where you were "using the same or similar login information."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Make sure the new password you select is a strong one. Ideally, it should include "letters, numbers and symbols" and generally, "the longer the better — some experts say it should be 16 characters," said the AP. It is also worth setting up extra account protections, like two-factor authentication.
Worried you will have trouble keeping track of lengthy, complicated passwords? Consider a password manager. "These easy-to-use apps generate highly secure, unique passwords and remember them for you," said Experian, meaning "all you have to remember is one master password."
Check your credit card statements and credit reports
Another important step to take is to check your credit card statements for any suspicious activity or fraudulent charges. If you do spot anything amiss, it is important that you immediately "call your issuer to get more details," said NerdWallet — "most often, your liability is limited to only $50 and perhaps less."
Beyond checking your existing accounts, also check all your credit reports. Doing so "can help you identify any unusual activity related to credit fraud and identity theft, such as the creation of loan or credit card accounts you don't recognize and the addition of unfamiliar addresses to your personal information," said Experian. You can easily check all three credit reports from the major credit bureaus at no cost by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Consider freezing your credit report, or set up fraud alerts
A credit freeze is a good move to make "if you are concerned about the integrity of your credit because your personal information may have been stolen," said USA Today. Effectively, it "prevents creditors from accessing your credit report," which is a necessary step in applying and getting approved for new credit accounts.
Freezing your credit is easy and free to do. Simply reach out to "each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion" — which you can do "online, over the phone, or by mail," said NerdWallet.
In the instance "you don't want to lock out creditors — perhaps you're in the middle of applying for a mortgage or car loan — you can instead add a fraud alert to your credit reports," said NerdWallet. This option "flags potential creditors that they should verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name," and "lasts for a year," at which point you can opt to renew it.
Remain vigilant
Do not let your guard down just because you checked these boxes. The unfortunate reality is that "data exposed during a breach creates a serious fraud risk," and a range of sensitive information "could wind up in the hands of criminals or on the dark web," said Experian.
As such, it is smart to continue to keep an eye on account activity and your credit reports. "Hang on to any unusual mail or emails, such as IRS tax notices, bills or statements from unfamiliar lenders" if you receive them, said Experian. Additionally, "staying up to date on the latest scams can help you stay defensive," as can knowing "common signs of phishing attempts."
Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She previously served as a deputy editor and later a managing editor overseeing investing and savings content at LendingTree and as an editor at the financial startup SmartAsset, where she focused on retirement- and financial-adviser-related content. Before that, Becca was a staff writer at The Week, primarily contributing to Speed Reads.
-
October 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include the Einstein files, defunding the police, and an odd tribute to Jane Goodall
-
Mustardy beans and hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends Nod to French classic offers zingy, fresh taste
-
Under siege: Argentina’s president drops his chainsaw
Talking Point The self-proclaimed ‘first anarcho-capitalist president in world history’ faces mounting troubles
-
When should you use a personal loan vs. a credit card?
The Explainer Determine whether you need a lump sum upfront or a borrowing limit
-
How will Fed rate cuts affect the housing market?
the explainer An anticipated series of Federal Reserve cuts could impact mortgage rates
-
What to know about investing in ETFs
The Explainer Exchange-traded funds can be a great choice for beginners
-
How to ditch ‘buy now, pay later’ debt
the explainer Recent changes mean BNPL will soon affect your credit score
-
The biggest changes to Social Security coming in 2026
The Explainer They will include an annual cost of living adjustment and a higher wage cap
-
Is duty-free shopping worth it?
the explainer How to determine whether you are actually getting a good deal
-
What's a bridge loan and how could it make buying your next home possible?
The Explainer This type of loan has both pros and cons
-
How to put student loan payments on pause
The Explainer If you are starting to worry about missing payments, deferment and forbearance can help