Protect Yourself When Hackers Strike
Victims of the Sony PlayStation Network breach should follow these three tips.
Sony Corp. announced April 26 that its online PlayStation Network had been hacked and millions of customers' personal data and credit card information may have been stolen. However, Sony knew about the attack about a week before it alerted customers about the breach.
A week is an eon for an identity thief, says John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education for SmartCredit.com. And Sony's recommendation that customers review their account statements and check their credit reports isn't enough, he says. PlayStation Network members -- or anyone whose personal information has been stolen -- need to do more to protect themselves and limit the damage. Here are Ulzheimer's tips:
Change online account passwords. Many of us use the same password and username for all our online accounts. So if your login credentials for the Sony PlayStation Network are the same as those for your bank account, e-mail, Facebook or other online services, change your passwords now. And change the answers to your security questions, too.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Initiate a credit freeze. Sony suggested that PlayStation Network users place fraud alerts on their credit reports, Ulzheimer says. But that doesn’t stop someone from using their credit cards and doesn't guarantee that new accounts won't be issued in their names. He suggests that PlayStation Network members cancel the credit card they used on their gaming system and freeze their credit records so identity thieves can't take out new credit in their names. See Fraud Alert vs. Credit Freeze for more information.
Keep monitoring your accounts. Just because you haven't seen any suspicious activity on your accounts yet, doesn't mean you're safe. Ulzheimer says ID thieves may sit on stolen data for months or even years after a security breach -- to give people time to let their guard down.
For more ways to protect yourself, see How to Avoid Identity Theft.
-
Stocks Chop as the Unemployment Rate Jumps: Stock Market TodayNovember job growth was stronger than expected, but sharp losses in October and a rising unemployment rate are worrying market participants.
-
Should You Renew Your CD?With rate cuts impacting earnings, we examine if now is a wise time to renew CDs.
-
7 Ways to Plan Now to Save on Medicare IRMAA Surcharges LaterUnderstand the critical two-year lookback period and why aggressive planning before you enroll in Medicare is the most effective way to minimize IRMAA.
-
Seven Things You Should Do Now if You Think Your Identity Was StolenIf you suspect your identity was stolen, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself, but make sure you take action fast.
-
The 8 Financial Documents You Should Always ShredIdentity Theft The financial documents piling up at home put you at risk of fraud. Learn the eight types of financial documents you should always shred to protect yourself.
-
How to Guard Against the New Generation of Fraud and Identity TheftIdentity Theft Fraud and identity theft are getting more sophisticated and harder to spot. Stay ahead of the scammers with our advice.
-
12 Ways to Protect Yourself From Fraud and ScamsIdentity Theft Think you can spot the telltale signs of frauds and scams? Follow these 12 tips to stay safe from evolving threats and prevent others from falling victim.
-
Watch Out for These Travel Scams This SummerIdentity Theft These travel scams are easy to fall for and could wreck your summer. Take a moment to read up on the warning signs and simple ways to protect yourself.
-
How to Guard Against Identity Theft in 2025Scammers are getting better at impersonating legitimate businesses.
-
Social Media Scams Cost Consumers $2.7B, Study ShowsScams related to online shopping, investment schemes and romance top the FTC's social media list this year.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
