Cybercrime is on the rise once again. Up to 59% of Americans report that they've been the victim of cybercrime in some way, and the number of Layer 7 DDoS attacks increased by 573% over the course of a single quarter in 2021. Not only is it important to make sure that your financial information is safe when you're shopping online but you also need to know what it looks like when your financial information has been compromised. Here are a few key warning signs to be aware of.
1. Withdrawals You Don't Remember Making
You should be keeping track of your bank account statement. As you look at it, keep an eye out for suspicious withdrawals. If you're noticing that strange amounts of money have been removed from your account, your information might have been compromised. If you share an account with a family member, confer with them to make sure that the withdrawals weren't from them. If neither of you made them and you don't recognize them from any autopay you've set up, your financial information might have been compromised.
If this happens, contact your bank immediately and freeze your account. Your options from there will depend on the situation, as well as your financial company.
2. Suspicious Emails or Phone Calls
Everybody gets spam calls. However, if you start getting strange phone calls or emails, it could mean that your information was compromised. If it was not on a dedicated server that was protected well enough, someone could have used it. You might start getting emails or phone calls from places like financial agencies or lenders who are trying to confirm services that you didn't request. Or, perhaps more frightening, it could be a collections agency trying to track you down for money that they believe you owe. Keep an eye out for these kinds of messages and don't ignore them if you get them.
3. You Have Unexpected Software Installs on Your Phone or Computer
Make sure you're aware of which programs are running on your phone or computer. You might not be able to keep track of everything, but if you're familiar enough with it, you'll be able to recognize when unexpected software is installed. One way that people get access to your financial information is by installing spyware on your devices. In this scenario, they don't need to hack a dedicated server. Instead, they can just get the information as you input it, thinking you're safe. If you see unfamiliar software on your computer, make sure that you look up what it does. If you don't remember installing it, running antivirus or malware software can help you.
4. You Get a Message That Your Information Was Compromised
This is the simplest way to know. Sometimes a company will find that their dedicated server has been breached. They will let their customers know that this has happened as soon as they are able to. That way, customers can make their own decisions about how to handle the issue. While this can have a negative impact on a business, hiding it can be much worse. This is why they are more likely to be honest if a breach has occurred. So make sure that you open all of your mail so that you don't miss this kind of message.
Having your financial information compromised can ruin your life. It can result in major personal and financial issues that can take years to resolve. Make sure that you watch for signs that this has happened to you. If you catch it early, you can prevent a lot of the major problems that can result.