Member Alert: Capital One Security Breach!

Between March 22 and 23, 2019, a Capital One server has hacked. The hacker gained access to more than 100 million Capital One customers’ accounts and credit card applications dating back as far as 2005. The culprit was caught and arrested this week and has since been charged while an investigation of the damage is ongoing.

While the McLean, Virginia-based bank said it found out about the vulnerability in its system July 19 and immediately sought help from law enforcement to catch the perpetrator, scammers could already have had several days of access to affected customers’ data. Capital One CEO, Richard Fairbank, stated that no credit card account numbers or log-in credentials were compromised. Capital One went on to disclose that of the 100 million customers affected 140,000 customers had their social security numbers stolen, and about 80,000 had their linked bank account numbers swiped.

Some of the best ways to help protect against fraud are:

1. Freeze your credit. Freezing your credit at the three credit reporting bureaus is now free and can be done online or over the phone. You'll need your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Each credit bureau will give you a PIN, which you can then use to lift your freeze when you need to apply for credit, such as a mortgage or a car loan or a new credit card. Here are the links to where you can freeze your credit at the three credit-reporting agencies:

· Equifax
· Transunion
· Experian

2. Enable two-factor authentication. Adding an extra layer of security to your logins can help prevent scammers from gaining access to your accounts. The most common form of two-factor authentication is when a business texts you a one-time code that enables you to access your account.
    
3. Sign-Up for credit monitoring. These services can help you keep close tabs on your accounts, alerting you if someone opens an unauthorized account in your name or even another family member's name.

We also recommend that you regularly change your passwords. The best defense against fraudsters using your data is to be diligent about guarding your personal information!

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