These days, most of us know at least a few basic rules for staying safe online. Don’t click links from people you don’t know. Be cautious of unexpected attachments. Double-check email addresses before responding. If something feels suspicious, it probably deserves a second look.
Those habits can go a long way toward protecting your personal information. Unfortunately, there are times when even doing everything right isn’t enough.
Recently, millions of Texas hunting and fishing license holders learned that some of their personal information may have been exposed through a cybersecurity incident involving a system used to manage license sales. While no financial account information was reported to be involved, the incident potentially exposed enough personal information to create concerns about identity theft and fraud.
I decided to write about this because the odds are fairly high that either you or someone you know holds a Texas hunting or fishing license. In a community like ours, outdoor recreation is a way of life, and many local residents could potentially be affected.
The first step is simply determining whether your information was involved. If you currently hold a hunting or fishing license through Texas Parks and Wildlife, it’s worth taking a few minutes to contact the dedicated assistance line that has been established for affected customers.
Even if you don’t discover any immediate problems, this serves as a good reminder to regularly monitor your credit reports, review bank and credit card statements, and watch for unfamiliar accounts or suspicious activity. Many experts also recommend freezing your credit with the major credit bureaus, which can help prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name without your knowledge.
The information reportedly exposed could potentially include details such as driver’s license information, contact information, and other identifying data. While that doesn’t mean criminals will automatically be able to use the information, it does mean affected individuals should remain alert and take reasonable precautions.
One of the biggest mistakes people make after hearing about a data breach is assuming it won’t affect them. Taking a few minutes now to verify whether your information was involved could save you a significant amount of stress later.
If you currently hold a Texas hunting or fishing license, I would encourage you to contact the assistance number provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife this week. If your information was not affected, you’ll have peace of mind. If it was, you’ll be able to take advantage of the protective services being offered and take steps to better protect your identity moving forward.
In today’s world, data breaches have unfortunately become a reality. While we can’t always prevent them, we can take practical steps to protect ourselves when they happen.
