Jake’s 58 closed abruptly last week due to an unexpected cybersecurity incident, it is still unclear if any data has been stolen, however experts say that your player data could be at risk.

A not so spooky statement from New York gaming commission spokesperson Brad Maione says, “On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, Everi, the licensed operator of New York’s video lottery gaming central system, experienced a cybersecurity event that remains under investigation.”

If you have gambled at Jake’s 58, Resorts World Hudson Valley casino or Suffolk OTB you may want to consider taking the following precautionary measures.

1. Monitor Your Accounts for Suspicious Activity:

  1. Financial Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card accounts for unauthorized transactions. If you spot anything unusual, contact the financial institution immediately.
  2. Email and Social Media: Watch for unexpected password reset emails, account notifications, or any suspicious activity on your online accounts.

2. Check Your Credit Reports:

  1. You could obtain free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your reports would have helped identify any suspicious activities or discrepancies.

3. Activate Credit Monitoring or Freeze Your Credit:

  1. Credit Monitoring: Many companies that suffer data breaches offer free credit monitoring services to affected individuals. This service will alert you to any changes in your credit report.
  2. Credit Freeze: Consider placing a freeze on your credit reports. This prevents fraudsters from opening new accounts in your name. You'll need to contact each of the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to initiate a freeze. Remember, a credit freeze may require you to unfreeze it temporarily if you're applying for new credit.

4. Beware of Scams and Phishing Attempts:

  1. Following a data breach, scammers may try to exploit the situation by launching phishing campaigns. They might pretend to be the company that suffered the breach or another trusted entity, contacting you via phone call, sms text, a letter in the mail, social media or email, they will pressure you to provide additional personal information.
  2. Always be cautious of unexpected phone calls and emails, especially those urging immediate action. Verify their authenticity by contacting the company directly using official contact details.

5. Change Passwords and Enable Two-Factor Authentication:

  1. Even if passwords were not exposed in this specific breach, it's a good practice to update passwords, especially if you use similar passwords across multiple sites. Also, enable two-factor authentication on accounts that support it for added security.

6. File Your Taxes Early:

  1. With the exposed data, there's a risk of tax-related identity theft. Filing your taxes early would have reduced the chance of someone filing a fraudulent tax return in your name.

7. Consider Legal Action or Claims:

  1. After a breach, You may be eligible for compensation or free credit monitoring services.

These breaches are a frightening reminder of the importance of proactive cybersecurity and personal data management. Even if immediate damage doesn't seem apparent, the exposed data can be used to haunt the living for years after the actual breach, so continuous vigilance is essential. If you would like more information on how to protect your company please schedule a free assessment.