What is a data breach?
A data breach occurs when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to sensitive information— such as passwords, financial details, or personal information— by exploiting security weaknesses.
How do data breaches happen?
Data breaches involve malicious activity, such as: Hacking Phishing attacks
Malware infections
Did you know: In 2024, 1.35 billion individuals were affected by data compromises.1 1.35B
It’s expensive for affected businesses to rectify a data breach—costing an average of $4.8 million globally.2 Facebook, Apple, and Google were all impacted by a data breach in 2025 that exposed 16 billion passwords.3 Individuals may also fall victim to identity theft as a result of a breach, resulting in financial loss.
What to do if you’re affected
If you’re alerted that your information was exposed in a data breach, there are several steps you can take.
A strong password is at least 12 characters long and includes a random mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols.
To make managing these complex passwords easier (and safer), use a password manager to securely store all your login credentials.
To help safeguard your finances, it’s important to regularly review your bank account for any suspicious or unauthorized transactions. You can easily access your transaction history through Online Banking or our mobile app.4
Check your credit score and report
If your account info was exposed in a breach, criminals could use it to make unauthorized purchases.
Setting up transaction alerts helps you catch suspicious activity instantly and act before further damage is done.
Secure an added layer of protection by adopting fraud prevention software like ID Navigator Powered by NortonLifeLock™.5 This software patrols the dark web and alerts you if it finds personal identifiable information that may belong to you.
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Familiarize yourself with other fraud and scam tactics and utilize General Electric Credit Union’s (GECU) Online Banking and mobile app platforms so you can quickly spot fraudulent activity. 4
