The Most Common Ways Hackers Steal Your Personal Data
Online fraud is booming. In fact, it’s hard to overstate how common identity theft, scams, and other cybercrimes have become. For example, in 2023, victims lost $12.5 billion to hackers, thieves, and scammers. And with modern life taking place increasingly online, hackers have plenty of targets to choose from. You could be their next victim.
While the risk of cybercrime will never be zero, there are proactive steps you can take to help protect your privacy. Just learning the most common ways hackers steal your personal data can help you be smarter and safer. Class Action U is proud to help consumers protect themselves from cybercrime with both information and legal support.
What Techniques Do Hackers Use To Steal Your Personal Information?
Hackers use various methods to steal your data, including personal manipulation, malicious software tools, and techniques known as credential stuffing and brute force attacks to take advantage of weak passwords.
Phishing Attacks
In a phishing attack, hackers pretend to be a trusted entity like a bank, an employer, or a government agency so they can trick you into giving away your personal information or clicking on a malicious link. Phishing can occur through text or email, but hackers might also set up a fake website that looks similar to a trusted platform.
Malware and Ransomware
Hackers might install malicious software on your computer that captures your password or important information like your Social Security number. You could also fall victim to ransomware, which locks your files or computer system and makes them unusable until a ransom is paid to the criminals.
Social Engineering
Hackers sometimes try to manipulate you into giving up personal information by impersonating a person or organization you trust. For example, in a pretexting attack, they may pretend there’s an emergency that requires you to send money to them. Alternatively, in a baiting attack, bad actors may offer a lucrative reward or investment opportunity that is actually a scam.
Data Breaches
Your personal information can be exposed via large-scale data breaches, and any computer system that contains your name, Social Security number, password, or other personal data is at risk. There are many types of data breaches, and if a company or government agency has poor security measures protecting its network, you could fall victim.
Credential Stuffing
Hackers may use username and password data gained from one data breach to try to gain access to accounts with other organizations. If you reuse passwords on multiple websites, this could happen to you.
Brute Force Attacks
Hackers have access to plenty of automated tools that attempt to guess passwords for a particular site. These tools often work off of dictionary words, commonly used passwords, and lists of passwords leaked in previous breaches. You may be at risk if you have an easy-to-guess password or don’t regularly change your passwords.
What Are the Signs That Your Personal Data Has Been Stolen?
Victims of identity theft may notice several signs, including:
- Unusual online activity and transactions: After a data breach, you might notice strange activity on your credit cards and bank accounts.
- Unexpected notifications: Keep an eye out for login alerts, emails informing you of password changes, or other updates about your online accounts you don’t recognize.
- Unexpected drop in credit: If fraudulent activity has affected your credit, you could see a drop in your credit score or be denied for a loan.
- Unsolicited emails or communications: If your identity is stolen, you may notice a sudden increase in the amount of spam or phishing attempts you receive.
- Changes to social media: Identity thieves sometimes post to your social media accounts, change your profile, or set up new accounts in your name.
- Requests for personal information: Emails, phone calls, and texts asking for your personal information could increase.
- Inability to access accounts: Scammers may change your password on online accounts and lock you out.
- Unexpected tax notifications: You begin receiving notifications of income or tax filing changes that you don’t recognize
- Suspicious changes to medical records: You might notice insurance claims and changes to your health data that you don’t recognize.
What Should You Do First if You Suspect Your Personal Information Has Been Compromised?
Knowing what to do after your personal information is compromised can help you limit the damage.
- Learn what you can about how you lost your data. If you receive notification of a data breach, find out what information was compromised, who stole your data, how the breach happened, and what the organization is doing to prevent it from happening again.
- Change your passwords for both the affected site and any other place you use the same password. Consider using a password manager and two-factor authentication if possible.
- Monitor your finances closely. Check your bank account balances and credit card transactions to make sure everything is correct. Make sure you’re signed up for any fraud alerts offered by your bank or cards.
- Check your credit report. You have the right to request a copy of your report every 12 months, or you can use a third-party service to access your report for free.
- Add a fraud alert to your credit report. This will make it harder for anyone to open an account in your name if it requires a credit check. You can also put a freeze on your credit for extra protection.
How To Prevent Data Theft
While you can’t totally eliminate the risk of data theft, taking a few simple steps can make it less likely.
- Use strong passwords and multi-factor identification. Don’t write down your passwords and consider using a password manager.
- Keep the software on your devices updated, especially any security or antivirus software.
- Learn more about phishing attacks. Everyone is vulnerable to them, no matter how tech-savvy or high up in a company you are.
- Consider choosing a code word or phrase with loved ones to confirm their identity if they ask for money.
Can I Get Compensation for the Theft of My Personal Data?
If you’re a victim of a data breach, you have a right to receive compensation for your lost money and any indirect expenses, such as the cost of credit monitoring. You can even receive damages for emotional distress.
However, you can only receive compensation if you file a claim. Depending on the circumstances of the data theft, you may have a claim against the company that stored or processed your data.
How To File a Claim for Data Breach Victims
You have a choice when filing a claim for a data breach: You can file as an individual or join a class action lawsuit. Class action lawsuits are common in data breach cases, since they often have lower legal costs and provide more opportunity for all plaintiffs to receive compensation.
A data breach lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case, including your losses, who you may have a claim against, and whether it’s best to start a class action claim or join an existing claim. It’s best to consult an attorney to understand your rights and ensure you’re not leaving money on the table.
Consult a Data Breach Attorney
A data breach can leave you feeling exposed and vulnerable, but Class Action U has provided thousands of data breach victims with the information, resources, and legal support to help them exercise their rights and get the compensation they deserve. We know the most common ways hackers steal your personal data and how to get back your money after they happen.
If you think you’ve been the victim of a data breach, timely action can help you limit your losses. Contact Class Action U, and we’ll connect you with a lawyer skilled in class action lawsuits for a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
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