What to do in a data breach

It is not uncommon for legitimate organisations to have their data compromised, and when this happens it might mean your data has been affected. Find out what you can do if you have been caught up in a data breach. What happens to my data in a data breach? Sometimes the data may be made…

The words 'DATA BREACH' in lime green against a background of teal numbers

It is not uncommon for legitimate organisations to have their data compromised, and when this happens it might mean your data has been affected. Find out what you can do if you have been caught up in a data breach.

What happens to my data in a data breach?

Sometimes the data may be made available for purchase and download on the Dark Web. Criminals may use the information from these data breaches to try to access your accounts or create new accounts in your name.

What can you do if your data has been breached?

Netsafe recommends you:

  1. Look at the Identity Theft Checklist as it is a helpful guide on what could happen with your information
  2. Contact iDCare on 0800 121 068 for free support as they are skilled at helping people in New Zealand who believe their details could be compromised
  3. Report this incident to your bank as soon as possible so they can advise you on what you need to do
  4. Undertake a credit check to see if there has been any suspicious activity or accounts opened in your name
  5. Change any passwords on accounts that have been breached and do not use the same password across multiple accounts to protect yourself from further data breaches.
  6. Read the information about data breaches on the Privacy Commissioner’s website.
  7. Remain alert to any emails or calls asking for anything suspicious like your passwords or to verify account details. Legitimate organsations will never ask for the passwords to your online accounts without you contacting them first.

We also suggest contacting credit companies and advising them your details may have been breached in case scammers try to get credit in your name. You can contact them using the details below:

• Veda 0800 692 733
• Centrix 0800 236 874
• Dun & Bradstreet (known as illion) 0800 362 222

Contact Netsafe:

If you think your data has been breached, you can make a report to Netsafe. We can offer helpful advice and next steps on how to resolve the data breach.

  • Call us toll-free on 0508 638 723
  • Text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282
  • Email [email protected] for online safety help

Is there a way to check if my data has been used anywhere?

You may also want to visit Have I been Pwned? to see if your details are there. Several large/public data breaches have been added so the site acts like a repository of data breaches and lets you check to see if your account has been comprised. Netsafe is not affiliated with this website, and has not verified the data contained there.

The data breach has happened in my company, what can I do?

CERT NZ provides advice for businesses and organisations by cyber security incidents like data breaches.

REPORT A SCAM

Netsafe can’t open investigations or track scammers, but we can offer support and advice for people who have lost money in a scam or think they are about to. This includes letting you know the steps you can take and advice about how to stay safe in future. You can report a scam to www.netsafe.org.nz/report.

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