4 actions protect you…

Data breaches and leaks continue to rise, exposing millions of records from companies handling sensitive information, such as Medicare and background check services. These breaches increase the risk of fraud, identity theft, and account takeovers. To protect yourself, you can take proactive steps like using stronger, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA), or adopting passkeys, which are more secure than passwords.

Additionally, safeguard your financial data by freezing your credit and banking reports, monitoring credit reports for fraud, and setting up an IRS identity protection PIN to prevent tax-related identity theft. Communication should also be handled cautiously, as scammers use stolen data to craft personalized attacks. Always verify communication through trusted channels and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

Stay informed about data breaches through reliable news outlets, Google’s Dark Web Monitoring, or antivirus services that notify you of leaked personal information. These measures can help you reduce vulnerability to scams and identity theft.