What Should You Do If You Are a Victim of a Data Breach?

Trusted Charleston, WV lawyers file data breach lawsuits on behalf of clients

In the age of e-commerce and internet data exchange, your personal information can be compromised. A data breach can occur at the hands of a skilled hacker, a careless employee or another party. If your bank account information, health care records, Social Security number or other identifying information was improperly accessed or disclosed, a West Virginia data breach claims lawyer can advise you on your options for seeking financial recovery. At The Giatras Law Firm, PLLC in Charleston, our attorneys work to identify negligent data handlers and to hold them accountable for damages suffered by data breach victims.

Respected law firm advises individuals whose personal information is stolen

A data breach is the unauthorized disclosure of a person’s or organization’s identifiable information to third parties. If your information was improperly disclosed, a third party may use it to commit identity theft, make unauthorized purchases from your accounts or wreak havoc in other ways. Your credit score may be impacted for years, preventing you from obtaining loans for personal or business purposes. A medical records breach can expose extremely sensitive information and leave you vulnerable to someone using your identity to rack up costly medical bills.

When your personal information has been jeopardized, having an experienced consumer privacy violations lawyer on your side will help build a case to hold culpable parties liable and limit your losses.

Attentive attorneys guide clients through steps to take after a data breach

If you receive notice that your data was compromised or you have other reasons to suspect you were the victim of a breach, it is important to know the details. First, confirm that the breach occurred by contacting the company or other organization involved. Be wary if anyone asks you to provide additional personal information they say is needed to determine if you were a victim — they could be trying to steal your data.

Once you confirm that a breach occurred, there are positive actions you can take to limit the damage. Change your passwords. If only your credit card number was exposed, cancel the card immediately. Monitor your bank account and financial statements for suspicious activity and report it.

Because fraudsters do not always act immediately after a theft, you may have to remain vigilant for years. One of our skilled West Virginia data breach attorneys can assess the severity of the data breach and help you devise a strategy for protecting your personal information.

Seasoned litigators pursue financial recovery for victims of data breaches

Often, a data breach results from a company’s poor security or information-management practices. A company that fails to protect the personal data of its customers, employees or others makes these individuals vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud. If the company is shown to have been negligent in its handling of information, it may be held liable for damages suffered by victims.

Our firm will evaluate your case and discuss if financial compensation may be available to you. Calculating specific damages is crucial to a successful data breach lawsuit. We will work to compile evidence of the type and extent of immediate and long-term financial harm you experienced due to the breach.

Contact supportive Charleston data breach victim attorneys for a free initial consultation

The attorneys of The Giatras Law Firm, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia represent and counsel victims of large and small-scale data breaches. To schedule your free initial consultation about how we may help, call 888-819-1281 or contact us online.