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How to protect your identity from a data breach

Data breaches are scary; they expose customers’ personal information and leave them vulnerable to fraud.

Back to consumer identity theft protection

With many recent data breach announcements from all types of industries, it's become clear how common data breaches are these days.

BBB has tips for consumers to protect personal information and reduce identity theft risks. This is important whether you’re a customer of the affected companies or not.

        

BBB recommends consumers take these steps to protect their data against a breach:

Don't overshare online.

Avoid posting personal information on social media. It's not just about your social security number; online quizzes and games may put you at risk! Things like your first pet's name or the town in which you were born can be used to hack your accounts.

Check your credit report and financial statements often.

Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and notify account providers as quickly as possible.

Use strong passwords and change them regularly.

Protect your accounts with complex and unique passwords. See BBB's tips on creating strong passwords.

Implement two-factor authentication on accounts and devices.

This adds another layer of security to your logins. Two-factor authentication sends a code to your phone or email to check the account owner is the one logging in.

Shop with businesses that protect consumer information.

Check for basic security measures. There should be an HTTPS in the address bar and a clear and detailed privacy policy. Then, look for and check the validity of trust seals like the Accredited Business seal. 

Safely dispose of personally identifiable information.

Protecting yourself online is critical, but hard copies of private documents can also be stolen. So, it's important to dispose of your private papers safely. Check with your local BBB to learn more about Secure Your ID Day and Shred Days. 

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