A data breach does not expose the same information in every incident, and exposure does not mean your information will definitely be misused. Start with the breach notice: it should say what was involved and what steps the organization recommends. Then match your response to the exposed data—secure affected logins, watch for suspicious activity, and use the Federal Trade Commission’s breach-specific guidance and IdentityTheft.gov resources.
What information was exposed in the breach?
The notice from the organization involved is the best starting point for identifying what was exposed in a particular incident. Breaches can involve different kinds of information; do not assume that every incident exposed all of the categories below. The FTC’s guidance for people affected by a data breach covers steps to take based on the information involved.
- Usernames and passwords: These may let someone try to sign in to the account associated with the credentials. If you reused the password elsewhere, those accounts may also be at risk.
- Social Security numbers or other identity information: These details can be used in attempts to impersonate you or open accounts in your name.
- Financial or account information: Depending on what was exposed, it may help someone attempt unauthorized transactions, access an account, or impersonate you when contacting a company.
- Email or social-account access: A compromised account can be used to send scams or malware to your contacts, or to support further identity theft.
A notice may also describe protective steps or offer services such as credit monitoring or identity theft insurance. Read its instructions and deadlines, and verify that any offered service applies to the incident. The FTC advises taking advantage of free services offered by the affected organization.
What can someone do with my information after a data breach?
The possible misuse depends on what was exposed and whether someone can use it. IdentityTheft.gov lists warning signs that include unfamiliar bank withdrawals or credit-card charges, utility accounts opened in your name, medical treatment billed to you, tax-refund fraud, and someone using your name during an arrest. These are possible forms of identity theft, not outcomes that happen to everyone whose data is exposed. See the FTC’s warning signs of identity theft.
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Stolen passwords may be tried on the related account
The FTC warns that criminals buy credentials stolen in breaches and try them on the account connected to those credentials. A password reused on other services creates additional accounts to secure. Change the exposed password and every reused instance as soon as you can. The FTC explains two-factor authentication and account-protection steps.
Identity details may support impersonation or new-account fraud
Social Security and other identifying information can be used in attempts to open accounts, commit tax-refund fraud, or impersonate you in other contexts. If your Social Security number was exposed, check your credit reports and look for unfamiliar accounts. The FTC explains how a credit freeze or fraud alert can make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name.
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Account access can put contacts at risk
If someone gains access to your email or social account, they may use it to send messages that appear to come from you, distribute malware, or target your contacts with scams. For an affected email or social account, review recent activity, recovery details, and forwarding rules. The FTC’s October 2024 guidance on hacked email and social accounts describes recovery steps.
How do I know if a breach-related email is a scam?
A real breach can give scammers a believable reason to contact you, but an unexpected email or text is not proof that it came from the affected organization. A message may try to get you to click a link, open an attachment, or provide a password, account number, or Social Security number. The FTC’s guidance on recognizing and avoiding phishing scams recommends caution with unexpected messages.
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- Do not use the message’s link or phone number to verify its claims.
- Go to the organization’s website using an address you already know is genuine, or call a number from a trusted source.
- Do not share sensitive information in response to an unexpected message.
- If you suspect a scam caused a loss or exposed more information, follow the FTC’s steps for what to do if you were scammed.
What should I do after a data breach?
Use this order to respond. The breach notice determines which steps apply; you do not need to take every action for every type of exposure.
- Read the breach notice. Identify the information involved, the organization’s recommended actions, any response deadlines, and whether it offers free monitoring or insurance. Use the FTC’s tailored breach guidance as a companion.
- Secure exposed credentials. Change the password for the affected account and any account where you reused it. Enable multifactor authentication where available. The FTC says an authenticator app or security key is more secure than a passcode sent by text or email when the account supports it. A security key is optional, and compatibility varies by account; see the FTC’s account-security guidance.
- Verify follow-up messages independently. Avoid unexpected links and attachments. Contact the organization using a website or phone number you already trust, rather than details in the message.
- Check for identity misuse if identity data was exposed. Review your credit reports and watch for unfamiliar accounts. Consider a credit freeze or fraud alert if you want to make it harder for someone to open new credit in your name.
- Act on confirmed fraud. Contact the company where the fraud occurred, ask it to close or freeze affected accounts, and change related logins and PINs. Use IdentityTheft.gov’s recovery steps to get a personalized plan.
Monitoring can help you spot certain signs of misuse, but it does not prevent every kind of fraud. A breach-related free monitoring or identity-theft-insurance offer may be useful; it is not a requirement to recover, and it does not replace the other steps that apply to the information exposed.
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