The ITRC is a national non-profit organization set up with the goal of minimizing the risk and mitigating the impact of identity compromise. Through public and private support, it provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education.<\/p>\n
The vast majority of that rise in numbers in due to a few very large compromises. The ITRC mentions Prudential<\/a> (2.5 million people) and Infosys McCamish Systems (6 million people) as main contributors.<\/p>\n Because both of these breaches were announced\/updated in the second quarter of 2024 they have a huge impact on the numbers. When we compare the number of data breach victims in the first half of 2024 (H1 2024) then we see an increase of 490 percent compared to the first half of 2023. Which is still significant and worrying.<\/p>\n The ITRC broke down some of the numbers to show them in an infographic.<\/p>\n Some notable statistics we can derive from the infographic:<\/p>\n Another trend the ITRC highlights is the increase in stolen driver\u2019s license information. Mostly caused by a post pandemic trend to use driver\u2019s license information for identity confirmation. This has increased both the chances of this information being included in a breach, and increased the value of that information to thieves. <\/p>\n The number of data breaches where driver\u2019s license data was stolen totaled 198 instances in pre-pandemic, full-year 2019 compared to 636 in full-year 2023 and 308 through June 30, 2024.<\/p>\n Most of the data breaches are not the result of negligence but of targeted cyberattacks. This explains the rising demand for data deletion services. Not only does it play a significant role in safeguarding privacy rights on the business side, it also helps avoid or lessen the legal consequences of a breach.<\/p>\n ITRC president and CEO Eva Velasquez summarized the report like this:<\/p>\n “The takeaway from this report is simple. Every person, business, institution and government agency must view data and identity protection with a greater sense of urgency.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n There are some actions you can take if you are, or suspect you may have been, the victim of a data breach<\/a>.<\/p>\n Looking at the numbers in the ITRC report, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve had other personal information exposed online in previous data breaches. You can check what personal information of yours has been exposed with our Digital Footprint portal. Just enter your email address (it\u2019s best to submit the one you most frequently use) to our\u00a0free Digital Footprint scan<\/a>, and we\u2019ll give you a report.<\/p>\n![\"ITRC](\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/07\/ITRC_QuarterlyReport-Infographic_H1.jpg\")
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Protecting yourself after a data breach<\/h2>\n
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Check your exposure<\/h2>\n