Data breaches: guidance for individuals and families — by NCSC (UK)

beginnerpageLink only (©)

Explains how criminals reuse stolen data to craft convincing scam messages, and how to check whether you are affected. Covers securing accounts, spotting follow-up scams and reporting them.

Quick steps

Confirm a breach via the organisation's official site, not message links
Change any password that was exposed, and others that share it
Review accounts for unusual activity
Forward suspicious texts to 7726 and report scam emails to the NCSC

Paraphrased from the source. Menus can differ by version, so check the original for full details.

Read the full article on ncsc.gov.uk

Source: Data breaches: guidance for individuals and families by NCSC (UK). Licence: Link only (©).

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

data breachscamsuk

More in Scams & Malware

Data breaches: Protecting yourself from the impact of data breaches (infographic) — by NCSC (UK)

beginnerpdf

A one-page printable summary of what to do after a data breach, including warning signs of follow-up scam messages and how to report suspicious emails, texts and calls.

How To Avoid a Scam — by FTC Consumer Advice

beginnerpage

Teaches four common scam warning signs: pretending to be someone trusted, claiming a problem or prize, pressure to act fast, and unusual payment demands. Adds practical protection and reporting steps.

How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams — by FTC Consumer Advice

beginnerpage

The FTC explains how to spot phishing emails and texts and which protections help, such as automatic security updates, multi-factor authentication and backups. It also says what to do if you clicked or shared information, and where to report it.