Tipp of the Week
Data breach and the dark web
Hello, Tipp City! Marc the Cop here,
Last week, I was opening our mail when I discovered a letter from a local bank addressed to my wife, Susan.
The letter stated that someone had applied for a loan in her name, and the bank was unable to verify that it was her. The bank letter further noted that the loan was denied and that it was now her responsibility to take the appropriate steps to ensure that further incidents do not occur.
With all the data breaches that have been happening lately, it can be overwhelming to determine your next plan of action. My data was purposely exposed five years ago. To say I was perplexed is an understatement.
What should we do if our personal information is available on the dark web?
It often begins with a feeling of unease—the discovery that your personal information is circulating on the dark web.
Maybe it was a data breach notification, a credit monitoring alert, or a suspicious email that tipped you off.
At first, panic seems like the natural reaction. But then you realize that the best response is not fear, but a clear plan of action. Protecting your identity and financial life requires swift and deliberate steps; the sooner you begin, the better your chances of minimizing the damage.
The first move is to verify what information has been exposed. It could be as simple as an email address and password combination, or as serious as a Social Security number, driver's license, or bank account details. If passwords are involved, change them immediately—starting with the most sensitive accounts, such as email, online banking, and credit cards.
A password manager becomes a vital tool here, generating and storing strong, unique passwords for every login. This way, even if one account is compromised, the others remain secure.
Next, attention turns to your financial safety. You contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know of the potential exposure. They can put alerts on your accounts, issue new cards, or flag suspicious activity more closely. At the same time, you place fraud alerts with the major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
A fraud alert requires lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before approving credit in your name. For stronger protection, you consider a credit freeze, which locks down your credit file entirely until you choose to lift it. This step is compelling because it blocks criminals from opening new accounts, even if they have your information.
While securing finances, you also take inventory of your identity documents. If your Social Security number has been exposed, you should notify the Social Security Administration and closely monitor your credit reports for any unusual activity. If a driver's license or passport is compromised, you contact the issuing agency to ask about replacement or added safeguards.
Then, you begin the ongoing process of monitoring. Services like LifeLock, Aura, or IdentityForce specialize in monitoring your personal data across credit files, bank accounts, and even the dark web. I purchased LifeLock after my data was exposed. These services can alert you in real time if new threats appear, and many include insurance or recovery assistance if identity theft occurs. Pairing such a service with free credit monitoring offered by banks or through AnnualCreditReport.com ensures a layered defense.
Finally, you adopt proactive habits that make future compromises less likely. Two-factor authentication is enabled wherever possible, adding another hurdle for anyone trying to break into your accounts. Phishing attempts are met with skepticism, and you stay cautious about what information you share online. You recognize that identity protection isn't a one-time fix, but an ongoing commitment.
In the end, discovering your data on the dark web is unsettling, but it doesn't have to define your future. By acting quickly, leveraging professional monitoring services, and building strong security habits, you take back control. Instead of living in fear of what criminals might do with your information, you live with the confidence that you are one step ahead.
Remember the 9 PM routine! The 9 PM routine is a nightly reminder for residents to remove valuables from their vehicles, lock their vehicle doors, secure their residences, turn on exterior lights, and activate all alarms and security systems.
That is all for this week! Please be safe and care for one another.
I'll see you in church on Sunday!
Sgt. Marc Basye (Ret.)
Do you have a suggestion for the Tip of the Week? Your input is valuable to us. You can email me at Marcthecop@tippgazette.com!
The opinions and statements in this column are those of the author, who is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency. This column is for entertainment purposes only. Persons referred to may be fictional for comedic purposes only.
