If you received a data-breach notice, treat unexpected messages about that breach with extra caution. Exposed details can make a scam look like it came from the affected company, but you can check a message safely: do not use its links or phone numbers; contact the organization through its official website or a number you already trust. If you shared a password, change it through the real service and report the message through the appropriate channel.
Why phishing can follow a data breach
A breach can give scammers personal details that make a message feel familiar or legitimate. CISA’s archived alert about the Equifax breach relayed a warning that phishing volume could rise after a major breach and that criminals might use stolen information to make messages more credible. That alert was last revised on September 20, 2017; it is historical context, not a current notice about Equifax or evidence of a specific increase in phishing today. CISA’s archived Equifax alert
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A convincing message may refer to a company you use or include details about you. Those details do not prove the sender is genuine. The same caution applies to messages claiming that you must verify an account, claim a refund, or address suspicious financial activity—examples CISA identifies as common phishing lures. CISA phishing tip card
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Warning signs in a breach-related message
Phishing tries to get you to open a harmful attachment or reveal personal information. A message deserves scrutiny if it:
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- Pressures you to act immediately, threatens account closure, or promises an urgent refund.
- Unexpectedly asks for a password, payment details, Social Security number, or other sensitive information.
- Asks you to verify an account or resolve suspicious activity through a link or attachment.
- Uses breach details to create trust but directs you to an unfamiliar website or contact number.
These signs are reasons to verify independently, not proof by themselves that a message is fraudulent. Do not click a suspicious link or call a number in the message to find out. CISA also cautions against following a suspicious link even when it appears to come from a known vendor. CISA guidance on recognizing and reporting phishing
How to verify a message safely
- Stop before interacting. Do not reply, open attachments, follow links, or provide information while you check the claim.
- Reach the organization independently. Type its known official web address yourself, use its official app, or call a number from a trusted source such as a card or statement. Do not use contact details supplied in the suspicious message.
- Check for the claimed notice through that channel. Sign in only through the official site or app and review its notices, or ask the organization’s support team whether it sent the message.
- Report or discard the message. For workplace messages, use your employer’s reporting process. CISA’s 2024 phishing postcard says: “When in doubt, report it out: If it looks suspicious, it’s best to mark it as ‘junk’ and forward to your IT staff.” CISA phishing postcard
What to do if you clicked or shared information
The next step depends on what you did. If you only opened a message, stop interacting with it and report it through the relevant channel. If you entered a password, act as though that password may be exposed.
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If you disclosed a password
- Go directly to the real service’s official site or app and change the password. Do not use a reset link in the suspicious message.
- Change the password anywhere else you reused it. Use a different password for each account; CISA recommends a password manager to generate and remember unique passwords. CISA guidance on strong passwords
- Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) for the account if the service offers it. CISA advises businesses to aim for phishing-resistant MFA; available methods depend on the service, and secure tokens are one possible factor. A security key is useful only where the account supports that method, and no single accessory protects every account. CISA guidance on implementing phishing-resistant MFA
- If you cannot regain access or see signs the account was taken over, contact the service’s support team through its official site.
If you entered payment or identity information
Contact the bank, card issuer, or other affected organization using a trusted number or its official site, and explain what information you shared. If you believe someone is using your identity, report it to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. For a workplace account or device, notify your IT or security team promptly and follow the organization’s incident process.
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Where to report phishing in the United States
Choose the route that matches the account or information involved. These channels are U.S.-specific; readers elsewhere should use their national cybercrime and consumer-protection authorities and the affected service’s own reporting channel.
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| Situation | Where to report |
|---|---|
| Message received through work | Notify your employer’s IT or security team and follow its internal reporting process. |
| Account appears hacked | Contact the affected platform’s support team through its official site or app. |
| General cybercrime | Report to CISA or the FBI using their official reporting channels. |
| Identity theft | Use the FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov. |
| Tax-related phishing message or call | Report it to the IRS. CISA’s reporting sheet specifies [email protected] for tax-related phishing messages or calls. |
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