If you’re like most of us, you rely on the internet for everything from banking to staying in touch with loved ones. But did you know that your personal information could be at risk? In recent months, millions of people have had their data stolen in major security breaches.
Your Social Security number, Medicare information, and bank account details are valuable to scammers. That’s why it’s so important to keep them safe online. But the good news is that you don’t have to be a computer whiz to keep your information safe. With a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud.
Today, we’re going to explain what these breaches mean for you and give you simple, easy-to-follow steps to protect yourself online.
What’s the NPD Data Breach?
Nearly 3 billion people had their Social Security numbers and other personal data published as a result of the National Public Data breach. They were gathering phone numbers, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers, lists of relatives and even Social Security Numbers. According to USA Today, they’ve got more than 30 years of data.
And here’s the worst part; this company scrapes non-public data to compile background information on billions of people without their consent. That means that they may have had your data, even if you’ve never heard of them or done any business with them. That’s not fair, but unfortunately that’s the reality of it.
How Data Breaches Can Affect You
Now, you may be wondering why this matters. After all, we hear about data breaches so often they’re starting to feel like old news. And I get it; it’s a pain and it feels overblown.
But for folks on a fixed income, a data breach can be devastating. Imagine having your Social Security or disability benefits stolen, leaving you with nothing to live on. Someone who steals this information could drain your accounts or even re-route your payments if they get enough access. Think about how hard it would be to prove your eligibility for assistance programs if your personal information has been compromised.
Many people rely on asset limits to qualify for critical programs like Medicaid or SNAP. If a scammer uses your identity to open accounts or make purchases in your name, it could push you over those limits, jeopardizing your access to essential healthcare and food assistance.
The National Public Data breach is particularly concerning because it exposed the very information that could be used against you in this way. Your Social Security number, birth date, and even your family members’ information could be in the hands of criminals looking to exploit vulnerable individuals.
This isn’t just about inconvenience; it’s about protecting your livelihood, your access to essential services, and your peace of mind.
I can’t stress this enough. I have some friends who were the victims of a data breach a few years ago, and they are still battling with the effects of it today. The person who stole their identity was able to open new loan accounts and new credit cards, accessing tens of thousands of dollars in a matter of days. My friends had no idea until those accounts went into collections, and by then it was too late. It destroyed their credit and is still affecting their lives, even years later.
It’s horrible, it’s awful and it’s unfair. I wish it wasn’t something we had to worry about, but this is quickly becoming one of the biggest threats of our time.
How to Protect Yourself from Data Breaches
Now, whether or not you were impacted by this one, The good news is, you don’t have to be a computer whiz to keep your information safe. With a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud.
See if Your Data was Exposed
The cybersecurity firm Pentester has created a helpful tool to see if you were affected by the National Public Data breach. Just visit NPD.pentester.com and enter your name, state, and birth year. Remember, you’ll want to search for every state you’ve lived in, as the data might be linked to your previous addresses.
Now, even if your information wasn’t in this breach, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your credit. Sadly, these breaches are becoming more common, and it’s not a matter of if you’ll be affected, but when.
Set Stronger Passwords
Your first line of defense is creating stronger passwords. These are like the locks on your digital doors – the stronger they are, the harder it is for someone to break in and steal your valuable information.
So, what makes a strong password? It should be different and hard to guess, avoiding easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. Instead, aim for a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, “Fluffy123” is weak, while a long string of numbers, letters and symbols is much stronger.
It’s also crucial to use a different password for every service you use. That way, if one account gets compromised, your other accounts remain safe. And don’t forget to change your passwords regularly, at least every few months, especially for important accounts like your bank or email.
Now, I know this can be a lot to remember. That’s where a secure password manager like LastPass can be a lifesaver. These tools securely store all your passwords in one place, so you only need to remember one master password. Think of it like a digital vault for your keys! Reputable password managers use strong encryption to keep your data safe.
Take a moment right now to think about your most important passwords. Are they strong enough? If not, it’s time for an update!
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Next up, let’s talk about Two-Factor Authentication. Think of it like a double lock on your door.
You know how some doors have both a regular lock and a deadbolt? That’s what Two-Factor Authentication, or 2FA for short, does for your online accounts. Even if someone manages to guess your password (the regular lock), they’ll still need a special code (the deadbolt) to get in.
This code is usually sent to your phone or email, so even if a scammer has your password, they can’t get into your account without also having your phone.
Setting up 2FA is easier than you might think. Most websites and apps, like your bank, email, or Facebook, offer it. Just look for it in your account settings – it might be called “Two-Factor Authentication”, “2FA”, or something similar. Follow the instructions, and you’ll have that extra layer of security in no time.
Remember: Two-factor Authentication is like having a security guard at your door. It’s a simple but powerful way to keep the bad guys out, even if they manage to figure out your password.
Freeze Your Credit
The next thing you need to do is freeze your credit. This is like an insurance policy for your identity. Even if a scammer manages to steal your personal information, a credit freeze stops them in their tracks, preventing them from opening new accounts in your name.
I leave my credit frozen at all times, unless I’m actively trying to purchase something. A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name without your explicit permission. It’s absolutely free to do this, but it can be a little bit of a headache to manage.
You’ll need to go to the website for each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You’ll need to log in to each one and find the page that lets you place a freeze. Each one should have a tutorial on how to do this. It usually just takes a few clicks, but for some of them you have to dodge upsells because they will try to trick you into paying for their subscription services. You don’t need to subscribe to anything to place a freeze.
Once your credit is frozen, you’ll need to log in and unfreeze it anytime you want to use your credit. I always forget to do this until someone reminds me, so usually if I’m applying for credit I’ll get a call telling me that I need to unfreeze my credit. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s absolutely worth it for the peace of mind it breaks.
Get Identity Theft Monitoring
Finally, consider an identity theft monitoring service. Think of it like an alarm system for your personal information. It constantly scans the internet and your credit reports, watching for any signs of trouble. If it detects something suspicious, like someone trying to open a new account in your name, it sends you an alert so you can take action right away.
Some services even offer insurance to help cover costs if your identity is stolen, and they can assist you in the recovery process. It’s like having a security team on call, ready to help if something goes wrong.
Remember, the sooner you catch identity theft, the easier it is to stop it and minimize the damage. An identity theft monitoring service can give you that early warning, so you can take action quickly and protect yourself.
Be Proactive with DeleteMe
There’s one more tool that can help you stay safe from these breaches, and that tool is called DeleteMe. Remember, National Public Data is an organization that scrapes your data from different sources. They’re like a digital vacuum cleaner, sucking up information from all over the internet without your knowledge or consent. That’s how they got your data, even if you’ve never heard of them before.
DeleteMe helps you fight back. It’s like having a digital bodyguard that constantly patrols the internet, searching for your personal information. When it finds your data on those shady data broker sites, it removes it, making it much harder for scammers to target you.
I’ve used DeleteMe for years and I absolutely love it. I’ll never be without it, because DeleteMe helps you become invisible to those digital vacuum cleaners. It’s an extra layer of protection that makes it significantly harder for your data to be collected and misused.
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Relief Recap
Data breaches are becoming so common that it isn’t so much a question of if but when your data will be compromised. By using the tips and tricks in this article, you’ll be better equipped to safeguard your information and protect yourself if your data is compromised.