What to do about a data breach?
May 4, 2023 2:43 PM   Subscribe

Canadian here. I own a mutual fund with Mackenzie Investments and got a letter today saying there had been a data breach and my name, address and SIN are now out there on the dark web (not an exact quote). What now?

They offered a free two-year membership with Trans Union so I can monitor my credit score. In addition to credit monitoring, Trans Union also offers adding a Potential Fraud Alert to my credit file, The statement requests that creditors viewing my complete report contact me before making a decision to extend credit based on the information in my credit report. Equifax offers the same service. So signing up for both looks like a good additional step to me. Other than that, what measures should I be taking? I’ve already checked out what the federal government has to say. All ideas are welcome!
posted by Epixonti to Work & Money (5 answers total)
 
Best answer: Don't just monitor your credit score, and DO NOT pay for credit monitoring. (Take the TransUnion offer, sure, but cancel as soon as they stop paying for it.)

Instead, freeze your credit at all available credit bureaux, certainly the Big Three. In the US, this is free (in part because Equifax screwed the pooch); I don't know about Canada, but if there is a charge for this, pay it. Actually freezing your credit means that shysters can't take out new credit accounts in your name with the breached data.

Watch your snailmail and email for anything weird, like receipts for stuff you didn't buy or advertising (beyond the usual junk) for stuff that's out of your wheelhouse. If your snailmail suddenly drops in volume, talk to the post office -- somebody may have filed a change-of-address in your name.

I'm sorry this happened to you, and I sure do hope this is the end of it for you.
posted by humbug at 3:10 PM on May 4, 2023 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Unfortunately, the only jurisdiction in Canada that legislates credit bureaus like TransUnion and Equifax to offer credit freezes is Quebec.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:26 PM on May 4, 2023 [1 favorite]


Unless you're in Quebec, in which case you can freeze your credit with the bureaus!
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:33 PM on May 4, 2023


Response by poster: Thanks to both of you! Unfortunately I don't live in Quebec, so a credit freeze is not an option, but I am going to have a Potential Fraud Alert (TransUnion) and Identity Alert (Equifax) put on my files. If anyone has any other suggestions, please bring them on!
posted by Epixonti at 2:52 AM on May 5, 2023


Just fyi once you do this - I did after my wallet was stolen once - anything requiring a credit check will be a massive pain to you and might ding you on your credit score.
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:06 AM on May 5, 2023


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