What to Do After You’ve Been Hacked
Identity thieves and cyber criminals focus their efforts wherever the opportunities are, and there are plenty of opportunities across all ages and businesses. As new technology releases and cloud-based services continue to grow, hackers have more doors to open to access data. So if you have experienced identity theft or been exposed to a hacking attack, we share a few next steps to take.
Take Immediate Action
Call Your Financial Institutions
If you suspect your data is compromised or notice suspicious activity, do not wait. Using the customer service contact information found on your cards, call your bank and/or credit card company to make sure your account information is protected. They can help you with the appropriate next steps to make sure your financial information is secure. Ask your bank about how to regularly check your credit report (or how to put a freeze on your credit) to watch for future activity that could negatively impact you.
Change Your Passwords
A hacker could be gathering data, including your passwords, which can be sold or shared elsewhere. Change your passwords to make this information defunct should it fall into the hands of someone trying to login under your profile. This is why it is important to use different passwords on different websites, so your risk spread isn’t so large.
Related: Top 5 Safety Basics to Know When Using the Internet
Reach Out for Help
Depending on the nature of the incident, you may need to get law enforcement or other legal professionals involved. Contact your local IMT Agent to find out how to can work with a fraud specialist.
Build Your Protection for the Future
The average enterprise cyber claim costs well over a half-million dollars. Additional insurance policies to protect individuals from the fallout of a cyber incident are growing in popularity, especially for higher net-work individuals. For businesses, the coverage in a commercial general liability policy might not extend to what you need. Standalone cyber policies could be a smart enhancement. IMT Insurance offers Cyber Suite, additional business insurance coverage to help protect digital risks. Learn more and talk to your IMT Agent to see if this is right for you.
