Tips: What to do if your identity has been compromised?

You can control how you react if your identity, accounts, devices or information is compromised. Responding quickly and comprehensively limits the damage from being hacked, facilitates a rapid recovery and provides you with some needed peace of mind. 

You have the ability to check if your email or phone is in a data breach by using Have I Been Pwned? Visit Pwned FAQ for more information.

Steps to take if and when your identity, accounts, devices or information is compromised.

Stolen Social Security Number
  1. Report the SSN theft at IdentityTheft.gov and file a local police report.
  2. Place a credit freeze for free at all major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to prevent fraudsters from establishing new lines of credit with your identity.
  3. Continue to monitor your existing lines of credit for signs of account fraud.
  4. Keep a record of and close any fraudulent account opened using your SSN immediately. Then report it to the fraud department of the credit card company or bank involved, as well as the major credit bureaus.

Hacked Email Account
Fraud with Credit Cards
Phone Number Hijacked

 

For more information visit villanova.edu/ITSecurity

Questions or concerns? Contact the UNIT Help Desk at support@villanova.edu

#BeCyberSmar

Details

Article ID: 145027
Created
Wed 3/29/23 10:57 AM
Modified
Thu 4/18/24 9:45 AM