This is how to protect yourself after a data breach.
Image: File
Customers of Standard Bank are being urged to stay vigilant after the bank confirmed to the media a recent data exposure incident involving some client information.
While the bank stressed that its core systems and customer accounts were not compromised, the breach still raises a key concern: what happens when personal details like names and ID numbers fall into the wrong hands?
Even when money isn’t immediately stolen, this kind of information can be used in impersonation scams, phishing attempts, and identity fraud, often weeks or months later.
Here are five steps South Africans can take right now to protect themselves.
If your details may have been exposed, updating your passwords is one of the fastest ways to reduce risk.
In cases like this, it's worth focusing on banking apps and online banking profiles, email accounts (often used to reset other passwords) and any accounts where you reuse the same login details.
Use strong, unique passwords for each platform and try to avoid reusing old ones.
One of the biggest risks after a data breach is *impersonation fraud*.
Scammers would often pretend to be your bank, reference real personal details to sound convincing and urge you to “verify” or “secure” your account
Remember that banks will never ask for your PIN, password, or full OTP codes and if something feels off, hang up and contact your bank directly using official channels.
Keep an eye on bank transactions, notifications from your banking app and any unfamiliar debit orders.
Even small or “test” transactions can be a red flag that fraudsters are probing your account.
Leaked personal data can be used beyond banking, including applying for credit in your name.
Be on high alert for unexpected credit approvals or rejections, calls from lenders about accounts you didn’t open or letters or emails about unfamiliar financial activity.
You can also check your credit record periodically for unusual activity.
After a breach, fraudsters often rely on panic and urgency.
Be cautious about sharing ID numbers, banking details, One-time PINs (OTPs) and account login credentials.
If you didn’t initiate the conversation, treat it as suspicious until proven otherwise.
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