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What to Do If a Company Says Your Data Was Exposed

A company’s breach notice calls for different steps depending on what information was exposed. Here’s how to verify it, secure accounts, and respond to signs of fraud.
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Start by checking what information the company says was exposed. A password, Social Security number, and financial account each call for different steps. Read the notice through a trusted route, secure any affected accounts, and use the FTC’s data-breach guidance to match your response to the data involved.

1. Verify the notice and identify what was exposed

Keep the notice and note the information involved, the period affected, the accounts named, and any support the company offers. If you are unsure the notice is genuine, do not use its email or text links. Visit the company’s known website or call a number you already trust to confirm it.

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The FTC directs consumers to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach for steps tailored to the type of information exposed. The right response depends on whether the notice describes login credentials, a Social Security number, financial information, or something else.

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2. If a password or login was exposed

  1. Change the exposed password promptly. Use the account’s official site or app, not a link in an unexpected message.
  2. Change it anywhere else you reused it. Also replace passwords that are similar enough to reveal a pattern.
  3. Turn on multi-factor authentication for affected accounts where the service offers it. The FTC describes two-factor authentication as adding a factor beyond a password; options vary by service and can include a security key. Check the account’s security settings to see what it supports. FTC guidance on two-factor authentication

A password manager is optional, but the FTC notes that one can help generate and store complex, unique passwords. FTC password guidance

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3. If your Social Security number was exposed

Get and review your credit reports for accounts or activity you do not recognize. Consider whether you want a credit freeze or fraud alert:

Option What it does Setup
Credit freeze Freezes make it harder for someone to open new credit accounts by restricting access to your credit report. Free. Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion separately to place a freeze with each.
Fraud alert Asks businesses to take steps to verify your identity before issuing new credit. Free. FTC guidance says a one-year alert can be placed through one bureau, which must notify the other two.

Choose based on the protection you want and the steps you are willing to take when applying for new credit. Check the FTC’s identity theft guidance for details and confirm current procedures with the credit bureaus.

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If the company responsible for the breach offers free credit monitoring or identity theft insurance, the FTC recommends taking advantage of the offer. These services are not automatically available to everyone affected; check the notice for the specific terms.

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Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

4. Watch for signs that your information was misused

Check account statements, bills, and credit reports for activity you cannot explain. Warning signs can include:

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  • Unfamiliar charges, withdrawals, new accounts, or debts.
  • Bills that stop arriving or debt collectors pursuing debts you do not recognize.
  • Medical charges or insurance coverage problems you cannot explain.

The FTC lists additional warning signs of identity theft.

5. If you find fraud, report it and begin recovery

  1. Contact the affected business’s fraud department and ask it to close or freeze compromised accounts.
  2. Use IdentityTheft.gov’s recovery steps to report identity theft and get a personalized recovery plan.
  3. Follow the plan’s recommendations, which can include placing a fraud alert, obtaining credit reports, and reporting the theft to the FTC.
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6. Be cautious of follow-up messages

A breach notice can give scammers a pretext to send convincing messages or ask for personal information. Do not click unexpected links in emails or texts. Contact the company independently using a known phone number or website, and do not give a verification code to someone who contacted you unexpectedly. See the FTC’s advice on protecting personal information from hackers and scammers.

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Mimorou 4 Pack ID Security Roller Stamps, 5 Inks, Yellow
  • Personal Information Protection: there are 4 pieces of address blocker roller stamps in 2 different sizes, and 5 pieces of 1.5 ml inks, a total of 9 pieces. Mainly applied to hide information such as social security numbers, bank statements, billing addresses, shipping addresses, tax documents and so on, protecting your personal information
  • Re Inking Unlimitedly: the information blocker stamp can cover information of the length about 100 meters. And each security stamper roller has an oil hole, so you don't have to worry about you having to throw away the roller stamps when the ink runs out. They can be refilled with oil for repeated use, saving time and energy
  • Cover Fast: our identity protection rollers come in 2 different sizes, and you can choose different sizes according to different areas of information to cover large amounts of private information in a fast and clean way, avoiding identity theft and rejecting privacy disclosure harassment
  • Easy to Use: just remove the lid on the ID stamp blocker roller and open it, and then gently slide it on the place where the information needs to be covered. It is suitable for most ordinary paper with black words, and can protect your personal privacy in time
  • Save Time and Energy: compared with the shredder, the personal confidential stamp has a small size, easy to carry, can be applied anytime and anywhere. Compared to the marker, it covers a larger area and can be quickly covered with a single swipe. There is no need to worry about whether you can not protect your privacy in time

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

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