Your Next Steps After a Data Breach
The Oregon DMV recently confirmed that an estimated 90% of Oregon driver’s licenses and ID cards were subject to a data breach. In the event that you are one of the many Oregonians that may be impacted, follow the steps below to safeguard your credit and protect yourself.
Change Your Passwords: Change your account passwords. Enroll in dual-factor authentication where available and never share your passwords with anyone (even Netflix).
Run a Free Dark Web Scan: Be careful with this! Never enter personal information on a website you don’t trust. Experian, one of the three credit reporting bureaus, offers a free dark web scan through their website. The scan will search the internet for any wrongful disclosures of your Social Security Number, email and phone number, helping you identify impacts of the breach. IMPORTANTLY, if you use this resource, look for “https://” in the link to make sure the site is secure.
Check Your Credit Report: Since this breach included driver’s licenses, thieves may have enough information to open accounts in your name or commit other identity theft crimes. Check your credit report through all three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Be on the lookout for any activity that you don’t recognize or didn’t authorize.
Freeze Your Credit Reports and Accounts: It’s a good idea to freeze your accounts before fraud occurs. A detailed description of how to report identity theft is available in our recent fraud blog. To place an initial fraud alert, contact each credit bureau. You’ll want to call each agency or go through their fraud portal online. Your initial alert will last 90 days and requires creditors to confirm your identity before accessing your credit report (This is done when someone is trying to open an account in your name).
Request a Copy of Official Documents: Since the Oregon DMV manages official documents, work with them to request a copy of your official driving record. Review it for anything you don’t recognize and request a second copy at a later date. If your information was stolen by cybercriminals, they may pretend to be you during a traffic stop or other circumstance, resulting in negative marks on your record.
Run a Background Check on Yourself: Ask the HR department at your employer for a referral to a company that can process background checks. Initiating a background check through a reputable provider–ideally one your employer already trusts–can help you spot any criminal convictions, arrest warrants or negative marks on your record for which you’re not responsible.
If you find that your identity has been compromised, you are not alone! We are here to help you get everything back on track. Start by reporting the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Then contact the Oregon DMV to report the theft of your driver’s license. Consider issuing a fraud alert (This is temporary and requires creditors to double check your identity before processing your credit report) or a credit freeze (This is permanent until revoked and doesn’t allow credit checks, blocking any accounts from being opened in your name).
At Rogue Credit Union, we take the safety and security of our members’ accounts very seriously. If you have any questions or suspect fraudulent activity in your accounts, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 800.856.7328, chat with us online or stop by your local branch.
