Protect Your HVAC Business from the Fallout of the 16 Billion Password Leak

On June 19, cybersecurity researchers uncovered one of the largest stolen credential dumps in history. A massive 16 billion usernames and passwords from platforms like Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft are now circulating in criminal marketplaces. And it turns out they have been going back to January of this year.

If you’re a home services business owner, this isn’t just a tech-world problem. Your marketing logins, financial platforms, customer data, and lead sources are all at risk. One weak password can open the door to stolen leads, hijacked ad spend, and compromised customer trust.

1. Turn On 2FA for Every Login That Matters

If you only do one thing, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all critical accounts:

• Google Business Profile
• Meta Business Manager / Facebook Pages
• Yelp, Angi, Thumbtack
• CRM and FSM platforms
• Email platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact

Use time-based OTP apps (TOTP) like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator rather than SMS, which can be vulnerable to SIM swapping.

2. Stop Reusing Passwords. Get a Password Manager

Too many contractors still use a few versions of the same password for everything. In this new breach environment, that’s a huge risk.

• Use a secure password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, LastPass or Dashlane.
• These tools generate long, unique, encrypted passwords for every login and store them safely.
• Share credentials securely with your team and avoid the risks of spreadsheets or sticky notes.

3. Audit Access to Your Marketing and Financial Accounts

Do you know who on your team (or who at your previous agency!) still has login access?

• Review user roles in Meta Business Manager, Google Ads, Yelp, etc.
• Remove former employees or partners who no longer need access.
• Limit admin permissions to only essential personnel.

4. Watch Out for Credential-Stuffing Attacks

Hackers use breached data to try logging into other accounts, a tactic called “credential stuffing.”

• Use haveibeenpwned.com to check if your email or password is compromised.
• Monitor your business emails for suspicious login activity.
• Turn on “login attempt” alerts wherever possible.

5. Move Toward Passwordless Tools When Available

Platforms like Google now offer passkeys, which use your phone or device to log in securely without a password.

If you’re using Gmail for your business, switch to passkeys to reduce the chance of phishing or hijacking.

Why This Matters for HVAC and Home Services Contractors

Your business depends on digital tools now more than ever. If hackers get in:

• They can reroute your leads from LSA, Yelp, Angi, etc.
• They can spend your ad budget without your knowledge.
• They can access customer lists, reviews, or scheduling platforms.
• They can impersonate your brand on social media, damaging your reputation.

Quick Action Checklist for Contractors

Task	What to Do
✅ Turn on 2FA	📋 Use app-based codes for all important logins
✅ Use a password manager	📋 No more reused or guessable passwords
✅ Clean up account access	📋 Remove anyone who shouldn’t still have login rights
✅ Check for breached logins	📋 Use breach-checking tools like HaveIBeenPwned
✅ Educate your team	📋 Make sure CSRs and office staff follow security best practices

 

Final Word

This breach is a wake-up call. Just like you wouldn’t leave your service van unlocked, don’t leave your business exposed online.

Taking these simple steps today can save you thousands in stolen ad spend, lost customers, and brand damage. Talk to a Mediagistic Expert today to learn more about what you can do to protect your marketing assets.

Tiffany Santayana is Mediagsitic’s Client Services Manager. She specializes in customer success and providing guidance and direction to the Mediagistic Client Services Team to achieve specific goals related to relationship building, client retention, campaign growth, and ensuring timely and accurate project completion for each campaign season. Connect with her on Linkedin.

Images via iStock