Attorney General Dana Nessel provides critical guidance to Michigan residents to combat identity theft following major data breaches in healthcare and telecom sectors.
Data Breaches Put Michigan Consumers at Risk in 2024
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urges residents to act swiftly to protect their personal information following a string of significant data breaches this year. High-profile incidents involving McLaren Health Care, Change Healthcare, Ascension Healthcare, and AT&T have exposed sensitive data, leaving Michiganders vulnerable to identity theft.
“The number of data breaches and identity theft reports continues to rise every year,” Nessel said in a press release. “Scammers are on a mission to steal your personal information to commit fraud, so it’s important to take data breach notices seriously.”
Key Steps to Protect Against Identity Theft
Nessel’s office has released a comprehensive alert titled “Data Breaches: What to Do Next”, outlining the steps consumers should take to secure their information. Among the recommendations are:
- Be vigilant about phishing scams: Avoid clicking on links or attachments in suspicious emails.
- Update and strengthen passwords: Use unique, strong passwords for every account.
- Enable multifactor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to sensitive accounts and devices.
- Monitor your credit reports: Use free weekly reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Minimize unnecessary data retention: Delete outdated files and data that could be exposed.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission also provides resources for creating strong passwords and implementing security best practices.
Why Michigan is Especially Vulnerable
Michigan’s healthcare and telecommunications sectors have been frequent targets for cyberattacks, as they store large volumes of sensitive personal and financial data. The breaches reported this year are part of a troubling nationwide trend of increased cybercrime. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the United States has seen a 15% year-over-year increase in reported data breaches.
For Michigan residents affected by these breaches, the consequences can include fraudulent credit card charges, unauthorized loans, and even medical identity theft.
Filing Complaints and Seeking Help
Consumers who believe their data has been misused are encouraged to contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team. Complaints can be submitted online or by mail:
- Address: Consumer Protection Team, P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909
- Toll-Free: 877-765-8388
- Online: Visit the Attorney General’s complaint form.
The department’s holiday scam alert page also provides tips on avoiding seasonal fraud schemes.
Broader Efforts to Combat Cybercrime
This latest advisory from Nessel aligns with broader efforts to educate the public on cybersecurity and fraud prevention. Earlier this year, Nessel collaborated with federal agencies to highlight the importance of data privacy and the risks posed by insufficient security measures.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize that proactive steps—such as enabling multifactor authentication and maintaining regular credit monitoring—are critical for mitigating risks in today’s interconnected world.
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