How to Handle the Largest Data Breach in History
Protect yourself after a data breach with the following resources, and find out if your information was compromised. Recently, one of the largest and most impactful data breach involved National Public Data (NPD). The data breach exposed an estimated 2.9 billion records, including names, addresses and Social Security numbers.
Because this breach was so large, it’s crucial to find out if your information was compromised. The following are reputable websites that don’t require Social Security numbers to be submitted, according to CNBC:
- NPD.pentester.com — Only requires people to submit their first name, last name, state and birth year.
- NPDBreach.com — People can search for their information using their full name and zip code, SSN or phone number.
If you have been compromised by any data breach (especially your social security number), it’s recommended to freeze or lock your credit.
A credit freeze is a security measure restricting access to your credit report. Doing so, makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Even if someone has your personal information, they won’t be able to get credit in your name without lifting the freeze.
Why you should do it:
- Protect Against Identity Theft: It’s one of the most effective ways to prevent unauthorized accounts.
- Peace of Mind: You control who can access your credit report, reducing the risk of fraud.
Freezing your credit is free and can be done through the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
To freeze your credit, follow these steps or visit https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze:
- Contact the Credit Bureaus: Reach out to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail.
- Provide Information: You’ll need to provide personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other identifying details.
- Set Up a PIN: You may be asked to set up a PIN or password to lift the freeze in the future.
- Confirm Freeze: You’ll receive a confirmation from each bureau once the freeze is in place.
A credit freeze is free and can be lifted at any time. It prevents new creditors from accessing your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
Rest assured, E5 Home Loans is diligent in protecting our borrowers’ information. We offer a secure client portal to transfer documents containing sensitive information. We also recommend our clients take certain precautions before any credit pulls.
If you’re interested in home financing or getting a second option, contact E5 Home Loans. We provide fast, reliable, 5-star service. And E5 shops loan products and rates across many lenders and we don’t charge a bunch of crazy fees.