Data Breaches: Steps to Take When Your Data Is Exposed

In an era where digital security is more critical than ever, data breaches continue to pose a significant threat. In 2025, 16 billion passwords to sites like Apple, Google, and Facebook were exposed through a data breach—one of the largest in U.S. history.¹ Whether caused by cyberattacks, system vulnerabilities, or insider threats, breached data can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage. Understanding how breaches happen and how to protect yourself is essential.

What is a data breach?

A data breach occurs when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to sensitive information—such as passwords, financial details, or personal information—by exploiting security weaknesses. Unlike a data leak, which often results from internal errors, breaches typically involve malicious activity, such as hacking, phishing attacks, or malware infections.

How data leaks impact individuals 

While it’s expensive for affected businesses to rectify a data breach—costing an average of $4.8 million globally—individuals are also negatively impacted by them.² $1.35 billion individuals were affected by data compromises in 2024, which resulted in instances of identity theft.³ This theft can bring financial loss, stress, and even employment issues to those affected. It’s crucial to act quickly if your personal data is compromised and take proactive steps to prevent future exposure.

What to do if your information is exposed in a data breach

If you receive a notification that your data has been leaked, take immediate action:

• Change your passwords—especially for accounts linked to financial or personal data.
• Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords. 
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an extra layer of security. 
• Monitor your accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity, such as unauthorized transactions or account openings. 
• Check if your data is on the dark web using monitoring services that scan for compromised credentials.

Data breaches can take months to detect—organizations take an average of 204 days to identify a breach and 73 days to contain it.⁴ This gives bad actors plenty of time to exploit stolen data, whether by opening fraudulent accounts, making unauthorized purchases, or even committing identity theft. The longer breaches go undetected, the greater the potential financial and personal damage.

Protecting yourself against fraud starts with vigilance and the right tools. At General Electric Credit Union, our Online Banking and mobile app platforms empower you to monitor your accounts for suspicious activity, set up alerts, and take quick action when something seems off.⁵ If you suspect fraud, contact the Credit Union immediately and consider freezing any impacted payment methods. 

We also have a wealth of free resources to help you identify scams like spoofing and learn best practices to protect your accounts. 

You have tools outside of the Credit Union, too. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is your credit report. You're entitled to a free copy of your report from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®—once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Regularly reviewing your reports can help you catch suspicious activity early and take swift action if needed.