Following a recent hotel data breach, security experts recommend using virtual credit cards, email masks, and burner phone numbers to protect personal information and minimize the risk of identity theft.

Key Points

• Virtual credit card numbers from providers like Capital One and Citi allow users to generate merchant-specific payment details that are easily canceled if compromised.
• Email masking services forward messages to a primary inbox, preventing hackers from obtaining a user's actual email address during a database breach.
• Virtual phone numbers, such as those from Google Voice, Firefox Relay, or Surfshark, help prevent data brokers from building detailed profiles on individuals.
• Using anonymized contact information reduces the effectiveness of phishing attempts and spam campaigns following unauthorized access to company databases.

Why it Matters

Data breaches at third-party businesses are increasingly common, making it difficult for consumers to control how their personal information is stored or protected. By adopting these digital privacy tools, individuals can limit their exposure and prevent a single compromised account from leading to widespread financial or identity theft.