The frequent hacking of even major companies might seem like a dismal new reality, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something about it to protect yourself.

When you’ve recently shopped at a company that’s been hacked, your credit and identity are put at risk. The results of a data breach can vary widely, from charges on your credit card to changes to your credit score to identity theft. Fortunately for consumers, there are many ways you guard against the financial and personal headache of hacking. The important part is staying informed so you can catch issues before they turn into big problems.

Stay Informed

Keep on top of the news so you can know right away if a place where you shop has been hacked. There are many websites where you can check in to see if a company has been breached, or if an email address you’ve used in an online purchase has been compromised.

Use Safe Passwords

Are you guilty of using super-simple passwords? Do yourself a big favor right now and change any passwords that link to your personal or financial information. You can even use a password manager to help keep all of your accounts safe in one fell swoop.

Check Your Credit Score

You should be checking your credit score regularly anyway, but it’s crucial after a data breach at a company where you shop. Check to ensure that nobody has opened up a line of credit in your name, and that there aren’t any items you don’t recognize.

More than anything, be wary and ask questions. If you see something in your email or on your credit card bill that doesn’t make sense, don’t ignore it. When you catch issues early, they are usually easy to fix. Keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground, and you’ll be well prepared to handle any inconveniences caused by these all-too-frequent hacking events.