Has your Social Security number been compromised on the dark web? Discover how to find out and what steps to take next.
Social Security Number : A recent data breach affecting approximately 3 billion personal records has compromised numerous Social Security Numbers. Is yours among them? Here’s how to check and what steps to take next.
You may not be familiar with National Public Data, a company that profits by gathering and selling access to personal information to credit card firms, employers, and private investigators. Recently, it has come to light that the hacker group USDoD has obtained approximately 2.9 billion records from this company. It is likely that your information, which may include your Social Security number (SSN), is among those records.
The US Department of Defense aimed to sell this data for a modest sum of $3.5 million. Ironically, before the USDoD could capitalize on the breach, another malicious entity, known as Fenice, intercepted the data and made it available on the dark web.
How severe is the situation? As reported by the security organization Vx-Underground, the compromised data encompasses.
- First name
- Last name
- Address
- Address history (three decades’ worth)
- Social Security number
Vx-Underground also discovered that “the database lacks information from individuals utilizing data opt-out services.” These services enable users to refuse consent to companies or organizations that seek to retain their records.
It’s reassuring to hear that, but for many of you, it may be somewhat too late.
The compromised data, amounting to 277GB, presents a potential risk for identity theft and fraud. While the breach may not directly impact 2.7 billion distinct individuals—given that there are multiple records associated with each person—it still represents a considerable threat. This information could be exploited to create fraudulent accounts, secure loans unlawfully, or engage in tax fraud.
What should be the initial step?
Begin by verifying if your data has been compromised. The most straightforward method to accomplish this is by visiting the Have I Been Pwned website. This platform serves as an essential tool for discovering the breaches that may have affected you and the extent of your data exposure. To utilize Have I Been Pwned, simply enter your email address, and within a minute, you will receive the concerning information.
It is important to clarify that I am not questioning whether your data has been compromised; I can assure you that it has been. Given the continuous occurrence of data breaches over the years, it is undeniable that some of your personal information is already exposed.
I prioritize security more than many individuals, and I possess greater resources to address security and privacy concerns. However, despite these advantages, I have been a victim of data theft in at least 34 separate data breaches.
The majority of these breaches tend to be relatively benign. For instance, my email address associated with my chess.com account was exposed, which I can accept. However, the situation with the USDoD data leak is significantly more concerning.
The next step is to assess the severity of the situation. If you suspect that your data may have been misused, it is advisable to utilize an identity theft protection and credit monitoring service to safeguard your interests.
Merely having these services is insufficient. It is essential to routinely review your credit reports for any unauthorized activities. If you notice any suspicious transactions, report them to the credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Additionally, you may want to consider implementing a credit freeze to stop new accounts from being established in your name.
It is essential to remain alert to the threat of phishing attacks. Exercise caution with any emails, messages, or phone calls that seek to obtain your personal information. Fraudsters often exploit your compromised data to create persuasive phishing schemes. For instance, I recently received an email that appeared to be from my bank, containing my address and alerting me that my account had been compromised, urging me to change my password immediately via the provided link.
Whenever you receive a message of that nature, whether it alerts you to a potential danger or offers something that seems overly enticing, exercise caution. Avoid clicking on any links contained in such emails or text messages.
Steps to take if you have clicked on a phishing link.
If you have clicked on a phishing link, remain calm. It is important to take the following actions right away:
- Immediately disconnect from the internet and your local network. This action helps to stop any possible malware from spreading or interacting with harmful servers.
- Ensure that you save critical data to an external hard drive or USB flash drive. This practice protects your information against potential data loss or corruption.
- Conduct a comprehensive antivirus scan. If you do not have an antivirus program installed on your device, you should download one onto a different computer, transfer the installation file to a USB drive, and then install it on the compromised machine.
- Update the passwords for all your online accounts, particularly for critical ones like banking and credit card accounts. Ensure that each password is strong and unique, and think about utilizing a password manager for better security.
- Implement multi-factor authentication. Whenever feasible, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your accounts. This provides an additional level of security.
- Monitor your significant online accounts closely. If you notice any unusual activity, reach out to the company immediately.
Steps to take if your Social Security Number has been compromised.
In the unfortunate event that you suspect your Social Security Number has fallen into the hands of criminals, it is crucial to take the following actions.
- Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting IdentityTheft.gov. This site will assist you in navigating the process and offer a tailored recovery strategy.
- Submit a police report to your local law enforcement agency. Although they may not be able to conduct an immediate investigation, having a police report can provide essential documentation.
- Review your credit reports for any accounts or activities that you did not authorize. You can obtain free weekly credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Implement a credit freeze on your credit reports with the three primary credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This action will stop any new accounts from being established under your name. Additionally, you may consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, which mandates that companies confirm your identity prior to granting credit in your name.
- Examine your Social Security Statement for any unusual activity, including income that has not been reported.
Subsequently, reach out to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to mitigate the risk of potential tax-related fraud. Here are the steps to follow:
- Reach out to the IRS: To connect with the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, dial 1-800-908-4490. This dedicated line is designed to support individuals who suspect they have fallen victim to identity theft related to their tax accounts.
- File an Identity Theft Affidavit: Fill out IRS Form 14039, which is designated for reporting potential identity theft to the IRS. You have the option to submit it online through IdentityTheft.gov, which will send it directly to the IRS, or you can download the form from the IRS website and send it by mail along with your tax return to the address indicated on the form.
- Address IRS Notifications: Upon receiving a notification from the IRS that your Social Security Number has been used in a fraudulent manner, it is essential to adhere to the instructions outlined in the notice. These notifications are usually sent via traditional mail. You may need to complete Form 14039 or provide additional documentation to confirm your identity and rectify the situation.
The process can often be lengthy and monotonous. However, failing to monitor and, if needed, safeguard your accounts may result in identity theft. The repercussions of recovering from identity theft are significantly more challenging than taking preventive measures.
Subsequently, remain alert and consistently review your accounts and credit reports. Should you detect any unusual activity, promptly notify the appropriate authorities and financial institutions. This is not a concern that can be addressed once and then forgotten; it is an ongoing issue that will persist throughout your life.
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[…] Has your Social Security number been compromised on the dark web? Discover how to find out and what … […]
[…] Has your Social Security number been compromised on the dark web? Discover how to find out and what … […]
[…] Has your Social Security number been compromised on the dark web? Discover how to find out and what … […]