After massive data breach, UVU expert advises: Freeze your credit
Aug 15, 2024, 7:00 PM
The data breach of a background check company has potentially put up to 3 Billion people's personal information at risk. (Adobe Stock)
(Adobe Stock)
SALT LAKE CITY — If you suspect you may be a victim of a recent data breach, a Utah data security instructor said to freeze your credit lines and monitor your online banking activity.
Brandon Amacher is an instructor at the UVU Center for National Security Studies.
He pointed out that not everyone will have their personal data compromised and not everyone will fall victim to identity theft.
A class-action lawsuit filed in Florida claims USDoD, a hacking group, allegedly stole personal data of almost 3 billion people in April, including Social Security numbers.
The data breach occurred through National Public Data, a background-check company based in Florida, according to the lawsuit.
What to do after a data breach
Freeze your credit and closely monitor bank activity online, Amacher said.
Hackers are more likely to target specific groups, he said.
“People who have a decent credit score, people who perhaps are maybe a little bit older, have a decent amount of savings built up and are less likely to be actively monitoring their digital footprints,” Amacher said.
