What to Do If Your Personal Information Is Breached

Data breaches are becoming more common, putting millions of people at risk. While hackers can target individuals, they often go after businesses because company databases store huge amounts of personal information. Breaches like the Optus data breach, Ticketmaster data breach, and MediSecure data breach have exposed sensitive details, leaving customers’ personal information to deal with the fallout.

If a company holding your personal information is compromised, your name, email, passwords, and even financial data could be stolen. To check if your data has been breached, use Have I Been Pwned—a free tool where you enter your email to see if it was exposed in a data breach. If you find your details have been leaked, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to secure your accounts, protect your finances, and reduce the risk of fraud. Here’s what you need to do next.

1. Confirm If You Are Affected

If a data breach of personal information is reported, don’t assume your details were exposed. Check directly with the affected company. They may contact customers, but if you haven’t received an update, visit their official website or call customer support.

Be cautious of scam emails pretending to be breach notifications. Cybercriminals use these to trick people into revealing more personal information. Always verify with the company before taking action.

If the breach is confirmed, find out what data was exposed. To help determine what was compromised and what steps to take, use the ASD’s ACSC “Have you been hacked?” tool. Select ‘My information has been lost or stolen’ and follow the prompts to receive guidance on securing your finances, accounts, and identity.

Once you confirm your data has been breached, act quickly to protect yourself. Start by securing your accounts.

2. Secure Your Accounts

If your personal information has been compromised, change your passwords immediately. Start with the affected account and any others that use the same password. Use long, unique passphrases for each account to prevent hackers from accessing more of your data. A password manager can help store and generate strong passwords.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second step—such as a code sent to your phone—before logging in. Even if scammers have your password, they won’t be able to access your accounts without this additional verification.

Review your security settings for any unusual activity. Many online services let you check recent logins, connected devices, and changes to security settings. If anything looks suspicious, log out of all devices and update your credentials immediately.

3. Secure Your Finances

If a data breach of personal information involves your banking details, act fast to prevent financial fraud. Contact your bank immediately to report the issue and follow their advice. They may suggest freezing your card, updating login credentials, or issuing a new card to protect your funds.

Monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorised transactions. Even a small, unexpected charge could indicate fraud. If your personal information is compromised, report any suspicious activity straight away. Be cautious of third-party services claiming they can recover lost money—many of these are scams targeting breach victims.

If you need further assistance, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) offers free support for financial disputes. Taking quick action can help minimise the risks after a data breach.

4. Report the Attack

If your data has been breached, reporting it is crucial. Start by notifying the affected company to confirm the breach of personal information and ask what steps they are taking to secure your data. They may offer identity protection services or guidance on what to do next.

In Australia, you can report data breaches to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) if you believe your personal information has been compromised. If the breach involves financial fraud or cybercrime, report it to ReportCyber, managed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).

Reporting a data breach of personal information helps authorities track cybercriminal activities and prevent future attacks. It also increases the chances of holding businesses accountable for protecting customer data.

5. Look Out for Signs of Scams

Even after securing your accounts, identity, and finances, it’s important to remain vigilant. Continue monitoring your personal information for any unauthorised activity, as data breaches can often lead to identity theft and fraud.

Be on the lookout for signs such as unexpected social media posts, private messages, or emails sent in your name. Watch for purchases or transactions that you didn’t authorise, and check for changes to your banking or financial details. If your personal information has been compromised, scammers may try to hide their activity, such as deleting messages or transactions to cover their tracks.

If you spot anything suspicious, take action immediately by reporting it to the relevant authorities and notifying your bank. Keeping an eye on your accounts will help catch any fraudulent activity early, reducing the potential damage from the breach.

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