What To Do If You Get a Data Breach Notice
Photo Credit: Unsplash | Updated: December 1, 2024
Claim Form Deadline: Ongoing
Estimated Payout: Varies
Proof required: Yes
Did You Receive a Data Breach Notice?
Below is a list of some of the most recent data breach investigations as of December 2024. If you received a data breach letter from any of these companies, you may be owed potential compensation:$30M 23andMe Data Breach Class Action Settlement
The Olympic Club Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$615K Bridgeway Center Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$21 Million Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Gallagher Bassett Services Data Breach Settlement
Farmers Investment Company Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$700K Kannact Inc Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$1,075,000 Injured Workers Pharmacy Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$2.9M Henry Schein Data Breach Class Action Settlement
Baer's Furniture Data Breach Class Action Settlement
I Received a Data Breach Notice
Millions of Americans have been receiving data breach notices in their mail or their email inbox like the one below. If so, you may be entitled to significant compensation as part of data breach class action settlements.
The following personally identifiable or protected healthcare information may have been exposed in these data breaches:
• Names,
• Social Security Numbers,
• Dates of Birth,
• Health Insurance Information,
• Medical Information,
• Diagnosis Information,
• Health Insurance Group and Policy Numbers,
• Subscriber Numbers,
• Prescription Information.
Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long term damage. Hackers break into networks so that they can steal your personal information to sell it on the dark web, commit identity theft, financial theft or other types of fraud.
Data Breach Trends and Patterns in 2024
The global average cost of a data breach in 2024 reached $4.88 million, a 10% increase from the previous year and the highest total ever recorded.There were 2,741 publicly disclosed data breach incidents in the first half of 2024, affecting over 6.8 billion records. Ransomware and extortion techniques were involved in about one-third of all breaches, representing 32% of incidents studied. The global annual cost of cybercrime is predicted to reach $9.5 trillion in 2024.
Many of these data breaches have resulted in massive data breach open class action lawsuits and settlements that compensate consumers who have been damaged by cybersecurity incidents.
Major Data Breachesin 2024
Some of the largest data breaches reported in 2024 include:• AT&T: 73 million records breached, affecting current and former customers.
• Ticketmaster: 560 million customer records exposed, including payment information and personal details.
• Tile (Life360): 450,000 records breached, including personal information and location data.
• Dell: Data breach incident potentially affecting up to 49 million Dell customers.
Key Findings About Data Breaches A recent 2024 Verizon Data Breach investigations report revealed the following findings:
• 74% of breaches involved the exploitation of vulnerabilities as an initial access step, almost triple the amount from the previous year.
• 39% of breaches involved a third party or supplier.
• 66% of financially motivated incidents involved ransomware or extortion.
• 74% of breaches involved a non-malicious human element, such as falling victim to social engineering or making errors.
People Most Affected By Data Breaches
The most frequently breached sectors in the USA for 2024 included:• Healthcare
• Education
• Finance
• Government
• Technology
• Cybersecurity Trends
Ransomware remains a significant threat, with damages expected to reach $265 billion annually by 2031. Supply chain attacks and third-party breaches continue to be a growing concern, adding to inflation worries since the post-Covid era in the United States. There has also been an increasing focus on protecting against vulnerabilities and addressing the human element in cybersecurity, and how consumers can redress and mitigate identity theft and financial damage due to the massive prevalnce and acceleration of data breach incidents. Read below to learn how you can be owed cash and what to do to avoid data breaches resulting in damage to your financial and well-being.
What Should I Do If My Data Was Breached?
If you believe you have been the victim of a data breach, and have received a notice there are several steps you should take to protect yourself and mitigate the potential damage. These apply more broadly to a wider plethora of data breach cases:-
Stay Calm: Discovering a data breach can be alarming, but it's important to remain calm and take immediate action to protect your information.
Confirm the Breach: Verify that the data breach has actually occurred and that your personal information has been compromised. Look for official announcements from the affected organization or reputable sources reporting the breach.
Change Your Passwords: Start by changing the passwords for the affected account(s) immediately. Choose strong, unique passwords that are not easily guessable. It's best to use a password manager to securely store and generate passwords.
Consider Using VPNs VPNs are crucial for preventing identity theft and protecting personal information in the aftermath of a data breach. By encrypting your internet connection, VPNs secure your data from interception. They hide your IP address, safeguarding your location and device details from potential threats. VPNs also ensure the security of public Wi-Fi networks, making them safer for use. Additionally, these tools bypass geographical restrictions, enhancing online freedom while preventing ISP throttling and tracking.
VPNs provide a comprehensive defense against cyber threats, offering encryption, IP address concealment, and secure access to public Wi-Fi to mitigate the risks of identity theft and data breaches. This VPN does not log user activity, meaning they do not track or store information about your browsing habits.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate two-factor authentication for all your online accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification method, such as a temporary code sent to your mobile device, in addition to your password.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA goes beyond the traditional Two-Factor Authentication, adding an extra layer of security to online accounts through factors like something you know (password) and something you have (e.g., a temporary code using a physical USB key).
Relying only on your phone for verification in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) can pose risks if the device is lost or inaccessible, it's essential to diversify authentication methods. Consider having multiple authentication backup methods in case you get locked out of your device - email verification, backup codes you can save in an encrypted file or stored on paper in a safe place, or hardware tokens, providing a safety net.
Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly monitor your financial and online accounts for any suspicious activity. Keep an eye out for unauthorized transactions, unfamiliar logins, or changes to your personal information.
Notify Your Bank/Credit Card Companies: If your financial information has been compromised, contact your bank and credit card companies immediately. Report the breach and inquire about any additional security measures they can provide, such as monitoring your accounts for fraudulent activity.
Check Your Credit Reports: Request a free copy of your credit report from one of the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). Review the report for any unauthorized accounts or inquiries. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts for added protection.
Be Vigilant Against Phishing Attempts: Data breaches often lead to an increase in phishing attempts. Be cautious of suspicious emails, messages, or phone calls asking for personal information. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Update Software and Use Antivirus Protection: Ensure that your computer, smartphone, and other devices are running the latest software updates. Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect against potential threats.
Stay Informed and Seek Assistance: Keep yourself updated on the progress of the data breach investigation. The affected organization may provide guidance or resources for affected individuals. If necessary, consider seeking legal advice or contacting relevant authorities for further assistance.
How Do I Qualify for Compensation?
If you received a data breach notice from any of these listed companies notifying you that your personal information was impacted in their data breach, use the relevant links below in order to qualify for significant compensation:$30M 23andMe Data Breach Class Action Settlement
The Olympic Club Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$615K Bridgeway Center Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$21 Million Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Gallagher Bassett Services Data Breach Settlement
$2.9M Henry Schein Data Breach Class Action Settlement
Baer's Furniture Data Breach Class Action Settlement
Farmers Investment Company Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$1,075,000 Injured Workers Pharmacy Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$700K Kannact Inc Data Breach Class Action Settlement
$15M Cash App Data Breach Class Action Settlement
73 Million Consumers Affected By AT&T Data Breach
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:Attorney Advertising - This page may contain attorney advertising. The information on OpenClassActions.com is for general informational and advertising purposes. No attorney-client relationship between reader and Siri & Glimstad or their partner firm is created by submitting the form above. Upon submitting the form, you agree that a representative from Siri & Glimstad or their partner firm may contact you. OpenClassActions is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post may contain other affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links.
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