MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (October 31, 2023) – Reports of security breaches in South Carolina are skyrocketing this year. According to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, 49 data breaches have been reported affecting more than 1.1 million South Carolinians since July 1, 2023. More than 3 million North Carolinians were affected by security breaches last year, according to the North Carolina Department of Justice. Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas (BBB) has steps for consumers to take to ensure they’re keeping their private information safe.
“If you have a few extra minutes in your day, it may be a good idea to give yourself a digital makeover,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB serving Eastern Carolinas. “Taking simple, proactive steps will go a long way in safeguarding against potentially disruptive issues – like identity theft, loss of funds, or credit card fraud – that can cause mayhem by compromising your data.”
BBB encourages people to take the following easy security measures on their smartphones, laptops, smartwatches and tablets to avoid data breaches:
- Update your system and software: Avoid procrastination! The most current software, web browsers, and operating systems are some of the easiest and fastest ways to protect your most sensitive assets.
- Lock down your login: Security is critical to protecting accounts used for work and home. Ensure passphrases for each account are lengthy, unique, and safely stored. Enable 2-factor authentication on all accounts that offer it.
- Delete when done: Many of us download apps for specific purposes, such as planning a vacation, and no longer need them afterwards, or we may have previously downloaded apps that are no longer useful or interesting to us. It’s a good security practice to delete apps you no longer use to avoid data breaches.
Give special attention to your social media presence:
- Clean up your online presence: When did you last use all the apps on your phone or tablet? Do you know the settings on all social media accounts that check in with friends and family? Check up on all your accounts. Then, control your role by ensuring you know who has administrative access to your accounts. Keep all of your passwords private.
- Be careful what you share: Quizzes on social media are fun, and keeping in touch is necessary. However, they’ll ask you questions that might give away too much information about you, or could help them guess your passwords on your bank or social accounts.
Secure your ID at free BBB community shred events;
Many identity theft victims can trace the theft to something stolen from their possession. Don’t forget to properly destroy your physical documents that contain personal information, as well as your digital clutter, to help prevent identity theft and data breaches.
BBB of Eastern Carolinas offers FREE community shredding events several times a year. We partner with Shred360 to hold these events across our service area from Raleigh to Myrtle Beach to Wilmington and more. BBB’s next shred event is happening Monday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3071 Waccamaw Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579. We will also be collecting toys and monetary donations for Toys for Tots at this shred event. For the latest updates on BBB of Eastern Carolinas events and programs, follow us on social media, @BBBCarolinas.
About BBB of Eastern Carolinas
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 48 counties in North and South Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 5,200 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration.