BREACH PLEASE — What to do if your Personal info gets leaked In A Data Breach
Welcome to the digital age, where your most private data is constantly under threat — and the breaches aren’t slowing down.
From retail giants like Target and Home Depot to tech platforms like Yahoo and healthcare providers like Anthem, breaches have become disturbingly routine. Even credit bureaus like Equifax, whose job is to protect your credit information, have themselves been hacked — in Equifax’s case, exposing sensitive data of over 143 million Americans.
At R23 Law Consumer Protection Attorneys, we don’t just see headlines — we see the victims. As California Identity Theft Lawyers, we help consumers fight back when their data gets weaponized. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do.
Step 1: Freeze Your Credit Before Thieves Use It
A credit freeze stops identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name by locking access to your credit reports. Even if a breach hasn’t yet affected you, a freeze is a proactive step that could block fraud before it starts.
Pro tip: Freezing your credit is now free in California, thanks to laws passed in the wake of major breaches like Equifax. And yes, you can unfreeze it when you need to apply for credit — it’s not permanent.
📍 Already breached? If you’ve been a victim of identity theft or fraud, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to place an extended fraud alert on your file for up to seven years. R23 Law’s attorneys can help you file this properly — and ensure credit bureaus respond appropriately.
Step 2: Monitor, Don’t Assume
Credit monitoring services can detect when someone opens a new account using your information. Many breached companies (like Equifax) offer free monitoring — but be cautious about the fine print.
Not all monitoring services are created equal. Some only monitor one of the big three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), while others include identity theft insurance and legal support — which can be critical if fraud actually occurs.
Your baseline option: Use AnnualCreditReport.com to pull your reports for free from all three bureaus. You can stagger them every four months to create a self-monitoring system.
Step 3: Upgrade Your Passwords (Seriously)
Weak, reused passwords are an identity thief’s dream. If a data breach leaks your old Yahoo or LinkedIn password — and you’re still using it elsewhere — hackers can break into your other accounts with minimal effort.
Try this method: Use a sentence or phrase you’ll remember and convert it into a complex password using symbols and capitalization. For example, “Tramps like us, baby we were born to run” becomes Tr@mp$LUBWWB2R!
Better yet, consider a password manager. These apps can generate and store secure passwords across all your devices.
Step 4: Know When It’s Time to Lawyer Up
When a breach leads to actual identity theft, financial loss, or emotional distress, you may be entitled to compensation.
Under federal laws like the FCRA and state protections like the California Identity Theft Act (CITA), you can recover:
• 💰 Economic damages – if you were denied a loan, job, or housing due to fraudulent credit activity.
• 😟 Emotional distress – for the anxiety and harm caused by dealing with stolen identity.
• 🔥 Punitive damages – in cases of willful neglect by companies that failed to safeguard your data.
At R23 Law Consumer Protection Attorneys, our California Identity Theft Lawyers specialize in holding negligent companies accountable. Whether your data was exposed by a breach or misused in a scam, we’re here to protect your financial future.
Step 5: Don’t Wait — Take Action
If you suspect your information has been compromised, act fast:
✅ Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit
✅ Document everything — suspicious charges, calls, or denied applications
✅ Contact R23 Law for a free consultation — we’ll help you understand your legal rights
