Event: Data breach and cyber extortion. Extortionists have demanded payments from U.S. citizens to stop their records from being published online after hackers breached client files of a local psychotherapy center for a second time between the end of November and March 2019. Further information can be obtained at: https://www.kyberturvallisuuskeskus.fi/en/news/questions-and-answers-victim-identity-theft-or-data-leak
Actions to Take:
The National Cyber Security Centre recommends potential victims who suspect their personal information has been stolen or those who have received extortion messages to:
- Prevent financial damage: Contact your bank immediately to check if your online banking credentials or credit card information has been compromised.
- Report the crime: You can report a crime electronically. If you have received extortion messages, do not pay the requested money. Accurately record all information about the sender in the crime report. Preserve emails, messages, screenshots, and any other evidence.
- Request a ban on credit reports: The National Cyber Security Center recommends requesting a ban on your credit report, on the services of both Suomen Asiakastieto and Bisnode Finland to reduce the risk of your credit information being compromised.
- Request address protection: Posti enables you to ensure that any change of address notifications cannot be submitted to Posti on your behalf without authorization.
- You can also get in touch with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency DVV to request for a prohibition of disclosure of your personal information.
- Protect information at the Finnish Patent and Registration Office: Request not to be entered in the Trade Register without express consent. Also, make sure personal information cannot be changed without explicit permission.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Helsinki, Finland
+(358) (9) 616-250
HelsinkiACS@state.gov
https://fi.usembassy.gov
State Department–Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Finland Country Information
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