Protecting Staff and Students from Identity Theft After Data Breaches
Data breaches are an increasingly common challenge that can impact organizations in many ways, including the privacy and security of sensitive information. Schools and educational institutions are no exception, as they often handle extensive personal data for both staff and students. This makes their accounts and systems a prime target for hackers, including third party vendors that house that sensitive information. Whether due to cyberattacks, system vulnerabilities, or accidental exposure, breaches require a proactive approach to safeguard the affected parties.
This post will help you understand the risks associated with identity theft, outline actionable steps for protecting sensitive information, and explore the responsibility of educational institutions in addressing these risks effectively.
What Are the Risks of Identity Theft After a Data Breach?
Identity theft can have long-lasting impacts on individuals and families, making it one of the most stressful outcomes of a data breach. Victims may experience financial losses, fraudulent banking activity, damage to credit scores, and a lengthy process of reclaiming their financial and personal reputation.
For students, identity theft can often fly under the radar for years since most young individuals don’t monitor their credit. Likewise, educators and staff may be dealing with the added stress of safeguarding their bank accounts, loan applications, and more.
Key Risks for Educators and Students:
Financial Fraud: Unsecured personal data, such as Social Security Numbers, can be used to create fake bank accounts, apply for loans, or make unauthorized purchases.
Credit Damage: Fraudulent activity can hurt credit scores, making it challenging to secure loans, rent housing, or buy necessities in the future.
Misuse of Personal Information: Addresses, phone numbers, and emails could be used in phishing scams or social engineering attempts.
Understanding these risks emphasizes the importance of immediate and preventive actions to protect against identity theft.
Steps for Immediate Protection
If you suspect that your data has been compromised in the PowerSchool SIS breach or any others, below are some actions to consider taking implementing that can help minimize the risk of identity theft and lessen the impact of fraud.
1. Check for Credit Monitoring Services
Often after a data breach the vendor will provide free credit monitoring for those affected for a period of time. Confirm whether credit monitoring is being offered if your PII was compromised and take advantage of it. These services can alert you to any suspicious activity on your accounts.
2. Run a Free Credit Report
Access your free annual credit report from all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—via AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for any unfamiliar accounts or transactions on each report.
3. Place a Fraud Alert on Credit Files
Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your account. Once activated, it will prompt lenders to verify your identity before opening any lines of credit. This is an easy and effective way to discourage fraudulent activity.
4. Freeze or Lock Credit
A credit freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit report entirely, which makes it impossible to open new accounts in your name without unfreezing it. Contact all three major credit bureaus to put a freeze in place.
5. Secure Bank Accounts, Emails, and Accounts w/Sensitive Information
- Create strong passwords for banking, email, and any accounts where personal information is stored (retirement accounts, mortgage accounts, etc).
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code sent to your device in addition to your password.
- Set up text or email alerts for any financial accounts, including checking, savings, retirement accounts, and credit cards. Prompt notifications make it easier to act quickly if unauthorized activity occurs. In some cases you can cancel a transaction within a certain period of time.
6. Use the ChexSystems Account Lock
ChexSystems is used by banks to determine whether an individual is eligible to open accounts. By locking your ChexSystems account, fraudsters are unable to open new checking or savings accounts in your name. Visit ChexSystems to get started.
7. Consider Filing a Police Report
If you suspect that your personal information has been compromised or used fraudulently, filing a police report can be an important step. A police report serves as official documentation of the incident, which may be required by financial institutions, credit bureaus, or other organizations during the resolution process. When filing the report, provide as much detail as possible, including any evidence of fraudulent activity. This can help establish a clear record and strengthen your case when disputing unauthorized transactions or accounts.
Long-Term Strategies for Identity Protection
To truly safeguard your information, it’s important to go beyond immediate fixes and establish ongoing protections.
- Monitor Accounts Regularly: Stay on top of your bank statements, credit card activity, and credit reports to catch any unusual behavior quickly. Set calendar reminders to review this information routinely.
- Subscribe to Identity Theft Protection Services: Services are available that offer 24/7 monitoring, dark web scanning, and recovery assistance if your identity is stolen. This can often provide immediate alerts if your PII information is found on the dark web, if an account has been opened, or large transfers.
- Educate Family Members: Discuss identity theft risks and safety practices with your children and family members. Teach them to recognize phishing attempts, suspicious emails, and other signs of fraud.
- Update Login Information Regularly: Make it a habit to change passwords for important accounts every few months. Use a password manager to securely store and auto-generate strong, unique passwords.
Take Charge of Your Identity Protection
Whether you were impacted by the PowerSchool SIS breach or not it’s to common place to not have a plan in place to address what to do if your private information is compromised. Identity protection isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing process that requires monitoring, preparation, and the right tools. Whether you’re taking immediate steps to secure your credit or adopting long-term safeguards against cyberthreats, the actions you take now can make all the difference.
Remember, your personal information is valuable. Protecting it is essential in preventing the long-term consequences of identity theft. If you believe your data may have been compromised, begin implementing the steps outlined here and encourage your community to do the same.