A recent cyberattack has compromised sensitive personal information of millions of Americans, raising serious concerns about identity theft. The breach, attributed to a background check firm, has exposed approximately 2.7 billion records, including birthdates and Social Security numbers. With such valuable data in the hands of cybercriminals, individuals are at risk of having their identities stolen, leading to severe financial consequences. The article emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to protect one's credit. One effective strategy is to freeze credit reports with major agencies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, preventing unauthorized individuals from opening new accounts. This process is free and does not affect existing accounts. Additionally, setting up fraud alerts can provide extra security by requiring lenders to verify identity before extending credit. Regularly reviewing credit reports is also crucial to spot suspicious activity early. While identity monitoring services can offer added protection, they are not essential if individuals are already implementing these preventive measures.
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