Your data was in a breach. Here's what to do next

If you've received a data breach notification, take it seriously — but don't panic. There are a few concrete steps worth taking right away.

Start by monitoring your accounts and considering a credit freeze. Keep any documentation of costs you incur as a result of the breach, such as fraud losses or credit-monitoring fees.

Many breaches lead to class-action settlements that pay both a base amount to affected individuals and a higher amount to those with documented losses. The AT&T settlement is a current example.

ClaimBridge tracks these settlements and can file on your behalf — often with nothing more than your account details.