Coast Guard Data Breach: What You Need to Know

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What Happened in the Coast Guard Data Breach?

The US Coast Guard had a data breach in its Direct Access payroll system, which caused salary payment delays for over 1,100 service members. To investigate, the Coast Guard temporarily shut down the system.

A junior Petty Officer first noticed something unusual in their account and reported it. This helped limit the damage, but some critical information still got exposed, including:

• Bank account numbers
• Routing details for direct deposits

It’s still unclear if any other personal details were leaked or the overall impact of the breach. The Coast Guard is still looking into it and will update affected members if they find more.

What Are the Risks of Exposed Data?

When sensitive details like bank account numbers and routing information get leaked, it can lead to serious issues for those affected. Some of the most significant risks include:

• Identity theft: Cybercriminals can use stolen details to impersonate your identity and commit fraud.
• Unauthorized transactions: Hackers might try to withdraw money or make purchases without you knowing.
• Financial fraud: Leaked banking details could be misused for loans, credit card fraud, and other scams.
• Scams and phishing attacks: Scammers could send fake emails or messages to trick people into giving away even more personal information.

What Should I Do In Case of a Data Breach?

Social Security Numbers 

• Freeze your credit with major credit bureaus to stop scammers from opening accounts in your name. 
• Check your credit report regularly for any strange activity. You can get free credit reports from

Phone Numbers 

• Watch out for scam calls and texts pretending to be from banks or government agencies.
• Ignore messages from numbers or emails you don’t recognize.
• Never click on links in unexpected text messages, even if they seem necessary.

Emails

• Change your email password immediately and turn on two-factor authentication for extra security.
• Update security questions and passwords for other accounts linked to your email.

How to Minimize Damage in Case of a Data Breach 

You should update all passwords and security settings and monitor your bank accounts for suspicious activities. But what if someone stole your personal information and posted it on the dark web? This is where PureVPN’s dark web monitoring comes in for the rescue.

Enable PureVPN's Dark Web Monitoring 

Here's how you can use Dark Web Monitoring and take action before it's too late:

1. Install PureVPN on your device or update your existing VPN app.
2. Visit the Members Area to get access.
3. Go to Dark Web Monitoring from the main menu.

4. Select Add Assets to Monitor.
5. Add your email address, SSN, credit card number, passport number, and phone number.  
6. Mention the code sent to your registered number and you’re done.

7. Take the recommended steps if your data is part of a breach. 

8. You can mark the breaches as resolved. 

Final Thoughts  

The Coast Guard data breach shows how cyberattacks can cause real issues, from delayed paychecks to stolen information. Taking action quickly can help protect your details and keep your finances safe.