Online data breaches expose cyber-security weaknesses

Living in an online world comes with a convenience and a cost.

Earlier this month, the data of millions of people held by Equifax and Sonic was compromised by cyber-criminals. The information exposed included social security numbers, drivers license numbers, addresses, and credit card numbers.

Kaitlyn Love, Arvest Branch Sales Manager, stated, "We have a lot of customers that come in, and they want to know what they can do to possibly prevent that from happening to them." She added,

"You cant really prevent it from happening if they already have the information," Love explained. "A lot of companies are reputable. They don't know it has happened until it has already happened."

While you may not have much control to what happens to your data when it's in your hands, you can do some things to protect it when it's in your hands. Love explained you should be sure to use the chip on your card. Keep an eye on your bank statements, credit reports, and credit and debit cards themselves.

"A lot of times we set our cards out at restaurants, or we set it out in our car. People are looking for those things. In this day and age, everyone has a cell phone that has a camera on it."

Criminals have been known to secretly insert devices in debit card slots

"It happens more than you think it does," Love said. "A lot of times at the pay at the pump at gas stations people will put devices on them, so when you are sliding your debit card at the pump, they are then gathering your information."

If you see something suspicious, Love urges you to go inside and prepay the old-fashioned way. The extra few seconds could keep you secure.