This week cyber experts found information from more than half a billion Facebook accounts that were up for sale online by hackers.
They say the records include locations, email addresses and phone numbers.
Facebook says it is from an old data leak back in 2019 that they have since fixed.
The data, however, could still be valuable to scammers trying to steal your identity.
Looking to find out if your data has been compromised?
Start with HaveIBeenPwned.Com
It will let you know if your email has been part of a leak.
If it comes back as compromised, be sure to update your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication.
Worried you may have already been a victim of ID theft?
1. Start by contacting the credit reporting bureaus and place a fraud alert on your accounts. (You only need to call one - they will notify the others)
Equifax Fraud Department
Call 1-800-525-6285
Visit www.equifax.com
Experian Fraud Department
Call 1-888-397-3742
Visit www.experian.com
TransUnion Fraud Department
Call 1-800-680-7289
Visit www.transunion.com
2. Contact your bank and other financial institutions to make sure your account information is safe.
3. Victims of identity theft are entitled to a free credit report. Wait about a month before you request it. Some activity may take a while to show up on your report. When you get it, look for:
- Personal information that has changed: your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address and employer
- Inquiries from companies you didn’t contact
- Accounts you didn’t open
- Debts on your accounts you can’t explain
4. File a police report—it is proof of the crime. If the credit reporting agencies need to investigate fraudulent activity on your report, they will need this police report.
5. Periodically check your credit reports over the next year to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
6. Work with the credit reporting agencies to remove fraudulent activities from your credit report.
7. Work with your credit card companies to reverse fraudulent charges to your credit card.
Learn more about Identity theft: Call 1-877-382-4357 (877-FTC-HELP) or visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Loading...
