On the heels of yet another announcement of a consumer information hack, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a consumer advisory to help consumers protect themselves and where to get help if they suspect their information has been compromised.

In recent months, data breaches have exposed millions of consumers’ information, and with the FBI issuing a warning to retailers last week on the inevitability of more hacks, the CFPB wants consumers to be vigilant.

The CFPB advisory [PDF] includes the following steps consumers can take to protect themselves from data theft:

• Monitor accounts for unauthorized charges or debits;
• Alert your bank or card provider immediately if fraud is suspected;
• Follow up with the bank or card provider and maintain records;
• Avoid scams that ask for personal information over email or by phone.

The advisory comes just after Michael’s announced that it may have experienced a data security breach.

Earlier this month, Target announced that 110 million consumers’ information may have been leaked during a hacking at the end of the year. Weeks later, Neiman Marcus announced a security breach.

Watch accounts closely when account data is hacked and report suspicious charges [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]

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