Generally when I report to you about data breaches, it involves companies or government agencies that have had their computer networks hacked and personal information that can lead to identity theft stolen.  Today, however, I am informing you of a data breach that occurred the old fashioned way, namely paper records being compromised.  Bank of America hired a company to pick up paper documents to be shredded, however, according to Bank of America, “a document destruction vendor did not secure bank-related materials appropriately in transport. Some documents were found outside of the secure containers on the exterior of the financial center.”  Bank of America has not indicated how many customers were affected by this breach.  The sensitive personal data contained in the documents included names, account details, addresses, contact information, date of birth, social security numbers, and other government ID information.

Bank of America has notified people affected by the data breach and are offering two years of free credit monitoring.

TIPS

So how do you protect yourself from becoming a victim of data breaches whether or not you this particular data breach applies to you.

More than anything, these ransomware attacks and data breaches are another reminder that regardless of how careful we may be protecting our personal information, we are only as secure as the companies with which we do business with the worst security.  About the only way to reduce the risk is to limit the personal information we provide to these companies.  Don’t leave your credit card on file with any company and don’t provide your Social Security number to every company that asks for it unless it is truly required.  Your doctor does not need your Social Security number, but they often ask for it.

It also is important to freeze your credit reports to help protect you when data breaches do occur.  Freezing your credit is something everyone should do.  It is free and easy to do.  In addition, it protects you from someone using your identity to obtain loans or make large purchases even if they have your Social Security number.  If you have not already done so, put a credit freeze on your credit reports at all of the major credit reporting agencies.  Here are links to each of them with instructions about how to get a credit freeze:

Also, if you are in the mood to get scared you can go to the free website haveibeenpawned where you can find out what data breaches have affected you personally.  https://haveibeenpwned.com/

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