Last week news surfaced of a major data breach at National Public Data, a Florida based background check aggregator. While the scale of the breach has been hard to confirm, it has naturally led to insecurity about personal identity data, which was reported to contain sensitive information like social security numbers, names, and more. If you're concerned that you've been exposed by this data breach the first thing you should do is avoid panic. There are several steps you can take to determine whether your data leaked and protect yourself if it has.
1. Determine if you've been exposed
The first step you should take is to determine if you've even been exposed in the first place. While the breach appears to have been quite extensive, NPD may not have been in possession of your data. Cybersecurity firm Pentester has launched a tool available at npd.pentester.com that can help you determine if your data was on the list of those exposed by the breach. This tool looks you up via your name, state, and date of birth, meaning that you don't have to enter comprehensive personal data to look yourself up. It also shields any sensitive information that does appear on the list, protecting those who have been exposed.
It's worth noting that while this is an excellent tool, you should still consider taking some of the action outlined in the rest of this article to be safe even if your data does not appear in the Pentester tool.
2. Carefully monitor your finances
While you should always stay abreast of your financial health, it is even more important in the wake of a major data breach. This is true for everyone, but particularly important if you've determined that your data has been exposed. Take a close look at your credit card and bank statements each month for any discrepancies or unrecognized transactions. It is common for identity thieves to make small, hardly noticeable transactions once in a while in order to probe accounts that aren't closely monitored. Keeping a close eye on your transactions will help you avoid this.
3. Closely monitor your credit
Another avenue of attack for identity thieves is to open new lines of credit in your name. This is particularly dangerous as it can happen without your knowing about it and significantly damage your financial health. The best way to monitor this is to keep a close eye on your credit report. Many banks and credit card companies offer a simple credit score checkup each month that doesn't require a full credit report or hit to your score. By monitoring your score and watching for new lines of credit you can protect your financial future and help ensure that your identity is safe.
4. Consider a credit freeze
In the event that you can confirm that your data has been leaked, freezing your credit is a way to help protect yourself from potential financial damage. This is a relatively drastic measure that you won't want to enact lightly, but it's also a way to protect yourself from any new credit being opened in your name.
5. Talk to your accounting and financial advisors
The very best thing you can do to protect yourself as a business owner or high net worth individual is to talk to your financial advisor and accountant. These professionals will have personalized steps for you to take that can help simplify your response to any data breach. If you or your business is seeking a new long-term accounting partner, please feel free to contact us at Sweeney Conrad, we'd love to help you secure your financial health and provide you with tax and advisory services into the future.