The protective barriers that companies use to protect this data are believed to be robust enough, but sometimes cyber criminals manage to breach them.
Almost all our data is online. We share it when we upload content to social networks, register on a website, make an online purchase or subscribe to a service. The protective barriers that companies use to safeguard this data are supposed to be robust enough, but sometimes cyber criminals manage to breach them and steal sensitive customer information. This leaked data is spread in the shadowy networks of malicious hackers who, knowing what services we subscribe to or which entities we are customers of,use it to carry out credible scams. The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) explains what consumers should do if they are trapped in a data breach.
What can criminals do with your data?
Fines for security breaches have risen sharply in recent years, by 1,471% from €821,800 in 2022 to €12,970,000 in 2023. Specifically in Spain, 2,004 data breach notifications were received in 2023. 82% of them belonged to the private sector and 18% to the public sector.
If you are among the victims, criminals can use your personal data to open bank accounts in your name, apply for loans, or even carry out fraudulent transactions by pretending to be you. Leaked data, such as phone numbers or email addresses, can also be used to send fraudulent emails or text messages. In addition, if passwords for online services are not properly protected, hackers can gain access to bank accounts, social networks or online services.
How to act?
To avoid cyber scams, the first step is to take preventive action. Setting up security alerts, using a password manager, enabling two-factor authentication, using an anti-virus application and periodically checking your accounts in tools to detect data leaks are the most basic steps we can take to protect our data. But if your sensitive information has already been leaked, here’s what the OCU recommends doing:
-Replace your leakedpasswords and similar passwords used on other services.
-Don’t click on links in emails, SMS or WhatsApp that you may find suspicious, and be more cautious about phone calls you receive from that company or related companies.
-Practice egosurfing, it will allow you to find out what information about you is online. And if you find personal information on the internet that you do not want to make public, you can exercise your “right to be forgotten” through the AEPD (Spanish Data Protection Agency ).
– Tell your bank to block your cards and monitor fraudulent activity.
