What to Do if Your Data Gets Caught in a Breach

Data breaches have become alarmingly common in recent years – most every week, we read another headline about mass theft of personal information. No industry is immune.

Underwear retail giant Victoria’s Secret had to shut down its website after a suspected ransomware attack. Around the same time, one of the largest healthcare systems in the US warned that hackers likely stole patients’ medical and personal data in a cyberattack. Even a global venture capital firm, Insight Partners, disclosed that intruders may have grabbed investors’ banking and tax details in a breach.

The numbers back up this trend: nearly 5.5 billion online accounts were compromised worldwide in 2024 – about 180 accounts every second.

It’s crucial to know how to respond. If you suspect your personal data has been compromised – whether through a corporate breach or a malicious attack – remain calm, but take action!

Here are five red flags to watch for, and the recommended actions in each case.

Phishing attempts after the breach

If your data was exposed, you might soon receive phishing emails or texts. These scams often use leaked info to craft convincing messages asking you to “verify” accounts or provide more sensitive details. After Nova Scotia Power’s ransomware attack, customers were warned about unsolicited communications asking for personal data.

What to do:

• Don’t click suspicious links or attachments. Always visit the company’s official website directly to check your account status.
• Verify the sender’s details. Look for odd sender addresses or misspellings.
• Use services like Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection to see if your info is among breached data.
• Secure your accounts by changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).

Phishing scams are among the most common follow-ups to a breach, so be cautious with emails and texts.

Fraudulent transactions

A breach can expose your credit card or banking info, leading to fraud. For example, after a cyberattack on a healthcare system, affected customers were warned that their banking details might be at risk. Thieves might start with small test charges before making large withdrawals.

What to do:

• Monitor your bank and credit card statements closely for unauthorized charges.
• Report fraud immediately to your bank or card issuer.
• Freeze your card if possible or lock it through your banking app.
• Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report to prevent new accounts from being opened.

Catch fraudulent activity early to save yourself from larger financial losses.

Misuse of your healthcare or insurance info

If your health data is exposed, it could be used for medical fraud. After breaches like the one at Onsite Mammography, where over 350,000 patient records were exposed, scammers can try to use your data for all sorts of fraud, not least to get services or drugs in your name.

What to do:

• Review your medical bills and insurance statements for suspicious charges.
• Report any unauthorized claims to your insurer and healthcare provider.
• Request copies of your medical records to check for inaccuracies.
• Enroll in identity theft protection if offered by the healthcare provider.

Vigilance over medical documents and bills helps protect you from medical identity theft.

Unusual identity theft activity

If a breach exposes sensitive personal information, criminals could try to open credit accounts in your name. For example, the Ascension Health breach compromised data like Social Security Numbers, which can be used to take out loans or open credit lines.

What to do:

• Place a credit freeze with all three credit bureaus to block new credit accounts from being opened in your name.
• Set up fraud alerts to notify creditors to take extra steps when verifying identity.
• Monitor your credit reports for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries.
• Use identity theft protection services like Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection to track misuse of your data.

Take proactive steps like freezing your credit and using monitoring services to give yourself a better chance of catching fraud early.

Spike in scam calls or texts

Hackers may use your personal information to impersonate legitimate organizations in phone scams. After a cyberattack on Kettering Health, the hospital warned patients about scam calls from people posing as hospital representatives. These scammers may ask for personal information or payments.

What to do:

• Don’t trust caller ID. If someone asks for information, hang up and call the company directly using the number on their official website.
• Never give out sensitive info over the phone or by text, especially if you didn’t initiate the communication.
• Use call-blocking and report suspicious calls to your carrier or the authorities.
• Verify suspicious texts by calling the company directly or by using tools like Bitdefender Scamio to check if the number is a known scam.

Be cautious with unexpected calls and texts to prevent scammers from exploiting your personal data.

Stay vigilant and practice good digital hygiene

Data breaches are here to stay, but by staying vigilant and practicing good digital hygiene, you can minimize their impact.

Watch for consequences like phishing attempts, fraudulent charges, and scam calls. Take immediate action if your data is exposed, such as freezing your credit, changing passwords, and monitoring your financial and medical accounts.

Bitdefender can help protect you from future breaches, alerting you if your data surfaces on the dark web.

Practice smart digital habits and respond quickly to suspicious activity, so you can keep your personal data safe, no matter how often breaches occur.

And remember, your data is precious. So guard it like it’s worth millions – because to cybercriminals, it just might be.

You may also want to read:

Every Click Leaves a Mark: Understanding Your Digital Footprint and How to Protect It

How to Protect Your WhatsApp from Hackers and Scammers – 8 Key Settings and Best Practices

How to Spot a Job Scam – 10 Signs You’re Dealing with a Fake Job Offer