What to Do If You Give Your Personal Information to a Phisher

Operating System: All

Applies To: UB students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees and volunteers

Last Updated: March 15, 2021

Choose actions based on the information you revealed and how that information can be used.

• Immediately change your password. If you use this password on other accounts, change those to new unique passwords now. See how to change your UBIT password.
  
• Report the phishing attempt.
  • Check if the attempt has already been reported.
  • If not reported, report the phishing attempt.

• Call the bank’s hot line, usually printed on the back of your bank card, and report the incident.
• If you have transferred money to a phisher, report  the incident to your  local police.
• Inspect your statements carefully for signs of account misuse.
• Determine if you want to put a lock on your credit records. This will keep anyone from opening a new account.
• Go to your bank’s online website and look for information about fraud, phishing or identity theft.  Find out what your bank expects you to do.

• Put a lock on all four of your credit reports (Transunion, Equifax, Experian, and Innovis) to block the creation of any new credit card accounts.
• Review the recommendations from the Social Security Administration about identity theft and your Social Security Number.

The FTC is the nation's consumer protection agency. The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works for the consumer to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in the marketplace.