Then join LifeLock Standard for dark web monitoring that alerts you if your information is compromised. These services can provide extra protection and peace of mind when dealing with potential identity theft risks. Social Security numbers are highly valuable because they are tied to individuals and used by institutions that access and handle sensitive personal information. As such, companies handling SSN-related information are frequently targeted by cybercriminals.
- Furthermore, there is a thriving underground market for stolen data on the dark web.
- Alerts are based on changes to your TransUnion and Experian® credit reports and information we find on the dark web.
- If you see anything suspicious, contact the credit bureau and file a dispute.
- Stay vigilant, stay informed, and take control of your digital identity.
- Unfortunately, keeping your SSN off of the dark web may be out of your control.
- If you find unauthorized activity or transactions you weren’t aware of, contact your bank or card provider to notify them of the suspicious activity.
Verify The Source Of The Alert
The information can be used to open fraudulent accounts, apply for loans, or even commit tax fraud. Victims may face ongoing challenges with their credit reports, financial security, and even their employment prospects. Rebuilding your credit score and clearing your name of fraudulent activity requires time, persistence, and often legal assistance. Early detection of your SSN on the dark web allows you to take swift action to secure your identity and financial accounts before significant damage can occur. One of the greatest risks of a leaked SSN is that scammers can use it to take out loans or open financial accounts in your name. A credit freeze prevents anyone from accessing your credit file — which means that scammers won’t be able to ruin your credit score.
Free Credit Report
In the wake of several high-profile data breaches in 2024 — including one of the largest to date — Americans have once again turned their attention to the dark web. Stolen data often ends up for sale on this secret section of the internet, where the total amount of money made by markets and fraud shops amounted to $1.7 billion in 2023. In an early August Bloomberg Law report, it was discovered that ultra-sensitive and personal information of nearly three billion people was leaked in an April 2024 data breach. A cybercriminal group called “USDoD” exposed a database owned by National Public Data, a background check company, on a dark web forum.
Place A Fraud Alert On Your Credit Reports
The truth is, you can never really be sure whether your private data is in the hands of cybercriminals. There are some giveaways that your personal information may be available to identity thieves. Learning that your information has been stolen in a data breach can be shocking. Still, it can be somewhat reassuring to know that the thieves probably didn’t target your data in particular, but rather stole thousands of records at once. Once your information is on the dark web, removing it can be difficult, or even impossible. Dark web repositories of stolen personal data generally operate in support of criminal activity.
Lock Your SSN
If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form. Your name and Social Security number can be used for illegal employment schemes. Criminals may use your personal details to apply for jobs, which could prevent you from claiming employee benefits in the future.
The last major thing is to make sure that all your important web sites have different passwords. That way, if someone gets your password to a low security site like a blog or comment forum, that does not give them access to your financials. You’re able to keep a close eye on your TransUnion credit report with free access from CreditWise. Contact your service provider and set up a custom PIN that allows you to lock and unlock your SIM so no one else can gain access to your phone number.
Best Identity Theft Protection
While there is no evidence of a breach yet, the database is a prime target for hackers. As reported in Forbes, the complaint notes that only DOGE has access to the server. A bombshell whistleblower is sounding the alarm on what could be the biggest risk to Social Security data in history. SIM swapping is when someone temporarily takes over your phone line using the same SIM swapping procedure that you’d use to activate a new phone. Criminals do this by tricking or paying off mobile phone carriers’ employees. Alternatively, they might port your number to a phone they control at a different carrier.
You can also consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports, which requires businesses to verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name. Each of these steps may make it more difficult for fraudsters to open new credit in your name. Did you know that stolen Social Security information is one of the most common causes of identity theft? CreditWise sends alerts, so you can get out in front of suspicious activity and try to keep it from harming your credit report.
Get Alerts About Suspicious Activity
Educating yourself on cyber security best practices is vital for maintaining a strong defense against potential threats. By staying up to date with the latest trends, securing your online accounts, and practicing safe browsing habits, you can greatly reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrimes. By reporting the incident to the authorities, you contribute to the collective effort in combating cybercrime and protect yourself from potential identity theft. Act swiftly to ensure that necessary investigations can be carried out and appropriate measures can be taken to safeguard your personal information. Furthermore, there is a thriving underground market for stolen data on the dark web. Cybercriminals who have successfully acquired SSNs through various means can sell them to interested buyers.
Sign In To Turbotax
It is a subset of the deep web, which represents websites and content that cannot be accessed through conventional search engines. To access the dark web, users typically utilize anonymity networks such as Tor (The Onion Router) that conceal their identities and online activities. However, they will need to prove actual harm came from this specific data breach, Lee said. Because there have been so many data breaches, it can be difficult to tie a specific piece of data to this one event, he said. Additionally, identity theft monitoring tools will let you know if someone tries to open an account using your personal information. You may have never heard of National Public Data, yet your personal information may have been compromised in the company’s recent massive data breach.
Social Security At Risk Of Breach Exposing 300 Million To Identity Theft And Loss Of Benefits: Whistleblower
While removing your information from the dark web is all but impossible (we’ll cover why below), there are steps you can take to prevent criminals from exploiting your SSN. Protect your identity and data if your Social Security Number is compromised on the dark web. Eric Flores, who is visiting Cleveland for the Browns game, said he would like more done by the federal government to protect our sensitive information. The New York Times describes Numident as “one of the nation’s most sensitive repositories of personal information,” in its report on the case. Unlike when someone uses your information to trick a company, if a scammer tricks you into sending them money, you might not be able to get it back. And scammers who gather information about you from the dark web and elsewhere might be able to trick you more easily.
What Is The Best Way To Protect Your Personal Information?
Identity thieves can open phone, electricity, water, and other utility accounts, accruing charges in your name and damaging your credit. Like a credit freeze, a utility security freeze restricts access to your utility account information. This helps prevent identity thieves from opening new utility accounts in your name and racking up charges you may end up being responsible for. There’s a central organization called the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE) that manages utility security freezes.
