When you receive a notification from an organisation that has suffered a data breach, your data is no longer safe. In that case, it is essential to take immediate steps to protect yourself:

 

Monitor Your Accounts:
Regularly check your bank, credit card, and other financial accounts for unusual or unauthorised transactions.
Set up alerts for your accounts to receive notifications of any suspicious activity.

 

Change Your Passwords:
Immediately change the passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.
Use strong, unique passwords for each account and consider using a password manager to keep track of them.

 

Enable Two-Factor Authentication:
Activate two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts for an extra layer of security. This requires a second form of verification in addition to your password.

 

Check Your Credit Report:
Obtain a copy of your credit report and review it for any signs of fraudulent activity. You can get a free credit report from agencies like Equifax, Experian, and illion in Australia.

 

Notify Relevant Parties:
Inform your bank and other financial institutions about the breach so they can monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.

 

Report the breach to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) through their ReportCyber service.

 

Consider a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert:
Place a credit freeze on your credit file to prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name without your permission.
Alternatively, you can set up a fraud alert with credit reporting agencies to warn lenders that you may be a victim of identity theft.

 

Beware of Phishing Scams:
Be cautious of any emails, phone calls, or messages claiming to be from the breached organisation asking for further personal information. These could be phishing attempts to exploit the situation further.

 

Stay Informed:
Follow updates from the organisation that experienced the breach to stay informed about any new developments or additional steps they recommend for protecting your information.
Taking these steps can help you mitigate the potential impact of a data breach and protect your personal and financial information from further harm.