The real risks when your personal data is stolen

In today’s digital world, we enter our personal information online all the time—when applying for jobs, getting healthcare, or even filing taxes. Government agencies and private companies collect and store this sensitive data, making them prime targets for theft. But what happens when that information is stolen?

Unlike a lost credit card, which you can replace, some information can’t be easily changed. Once your personally identifiable data is out there, it’s nearly impossible to take it back and the damage can last a lifetime.

Why stolen data is a big deal

When bad actors steal personal information, they don’t just take one piece of data—they take everything they can. This could include:

• Your name
• Your Social Security number (SSN)
• Your employment history
• Your home address
• Your medical records

Once stolen, this information is commonly sold or used to commit fraud— with the impact lasting for years after the incident.

The lasting consequences of a data breach

Once your personal data is stolen, it can be sold, used to commit fraud, or worse. Here’s how:

• Fraudulent Accounts – A bad actor could open credit cards, loans, or even mortgages in your name. You may not realize it until debt collectors start calling.
• Fake Employment – Someone could use your work history to get a job, commit fraud, or file fake tax returns in your name.
• Medical Identity Theft – Bad actors could use your health records to get medical care, prescriptions, or benefits, which can lead to insurance problems when you actually need care.
• Targeted Exploitation – If details like your gender, income status, or occupation are stolen, you could be targeted for specific scams or fraud.

You can't just change your identity

And here’s the scariest part: Even if you clear up one case of fraud, your stolen data could still be out there—ready to be used again. If someone steals your credit card, you can cancel it and get a new one. But you can’t easily change:

• Your name – You could legally change it, but that’s a huge, complicated process.
• Your employment history – If a bad actor uses your job records to fake their identity, there’s no easy way to erase it.
• Your Social Security number – While a new SSN can be issued in extreme cases, it’s very rare. Most people are stuck with the one they were assigned at birth.
• Your past addresses – are permanent markers of your identity. Stolen addresses can be used for identity fraud, harassing victims, or even social engineering attacks.

Prevention is the only solution

When personal data is left unprotected (easily accessible, poorly secured, or shared too freely), it’s not a matter of if it will be exploited, but when. That’s why data protection isn’t just important—it’s essential.

In addition to you having good data hygiene, the government and organizations that store personal data have a responsibility to ensure it’s protected. That means:

• Implementing the highest security standards
• Limiting access to only those who truly need it
• Never cutting corners when it comes to protecting people’s information

The bottom line

You should care about who has access to your data and how it’s protected. If security is weak, you are the one who suffers. It’s not just about keeping bad actors out—it’s about making sure your private information isn’t shared, sold, or misused. That’s why data stewardship is so important. The government collects and stores a lot of sensitive information— like your identity, financial records, and health history. If this data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to identity theft, fraud, or even targeted scams based on personal details like your gender, income, or past addresses. Strong protections are the only way to keep your personal data safe—because once it’s exposed, there’s no undoing the damage.