You can also report the theft to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These organizations can provide guidance on what to do next, and your report may contribute to future investigations of fraudulent activity. It’s almost impossible to remove your SSN, or any other personal information, from the dark web.
Massive TransUnion Breach Leaks Personal Data Of 44 Million Customers – What To Do Now
Remember, your Social Security number is a crucial part of your identity, but it doesn’t define you. With the right approach and resources, you can overcome this challenge and emerge with stronger, more secure personal information management practices. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and take control of your digital identity.
File A Fraud Report With The FTC
However, Bleeping Computer reported that the file was later leaked for free on a hacker forum, as noted above. The company added that it is working with law enforcement and government investigators. NPD said it “will try to notify you if there are further significant developments applicable to you.”
Social Security Data Leak: 7 Steps To Take If You’ve Been Affected
Having your Social Security number on the dark web leaves you vulnerable to identify theft. In fact, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, identity fraud cases amounted to $28 billion and impacted 27 million Americans in 2021. There are some simple actions you can take to protect your identity and pocketbook from this national “identity crisis.” No one can prevent all identity theft or monitor all transactions effectively. Further, any testimonials on this website reflect experiences that are personal to those particular users, and may not necessarily be representative of all users of our products and/or services.
Taking Immediate Action
The dark web is part of the internet that isn’t visible to search engines. Accessing the dark web requires a special web browser that hides the identity of all users and all organizations. Next, you’ll want to file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). While no security measure is foolproof, implementing these steps collectively provides a strong defense against potential risks and helps safeguard your identity and financial well-being.
Step 3: Place A Fraud Alert On Your Credit Reports
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.
Recovering from identity theft is much more painful than preventing it. Cybercriminals can post SSNs on the dark web after data breaches to sell them on illegal marketplaces or use them as ransom. It’s important to note that freezing your credit prevents anyone—including you—from opening new accounts. If you decide to freeze your credit, make sure you understand the process to unfreeze it, so you can access your credit, when necessary, like when you need to buy a new car.
How Can You Find Out If Your SSN Is On The Dark Web?
Imagine you open your mail to find a credit card bill with thousands of dollars of mysterious charges. Or you get a call from a lender threatening repossession of a luxury car that you don’t own. As alarming as these scenarios may seem, they are signs of a surprisingly common crime — identity theft. Bleeping Computer reports that the hacked data involves 2.7 billion records, with individuals having multiple records in the database.
National Public Data is a background check company that provides information either through legitimate sources or by scraping it off the web, Lee said. Because the data is collected more casually, it can be gathered without consumers’ permission and outside of certain regulations. A third-party bad actor may have hacked into the data in December, with potential leaks of the information in April and over this summer, the company said on its website.
National Public Data did not return a request for comment by press time. The Experian Smart Money™ Debit Card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International. Internet criminals buy and sell personal data on the dark web to commit fraud. The dark web is a hidden, unregulated part of the internet, which makes it a hotbed for hackers selling stolen personal information, including Social Security numbers (SSNs). Join LifeLock Standard to monitor the dark web for your SSN and get alerts of potential fraud.
- 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.
- However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
- The hacker or hackers, who likely went by the name SXUL, gave the data to USDoD, a group that has served as a broker for previous data breaches.
- This preemptive step can save you the substantial hassle and cost involved with dealing with an identity theft.
- By entering your name, you may get a sense of what information, if any, has been shared.
Whether your SSN has already been stolen or not, you should take some preventative measures to protect your personal information in the future. If you aren’t sure if your SSN is on the dark web, you’ll want to check first. Unfortunately, searching the dark web for your SSN without the needed technical know-how and specialized tools, such as a secure operating system, Tor browser, and VPN, can be extremely risky. We don’t recommend you try it due to the dangers and potential legal implications involved. Are you concerned your Social Security number (SSN) may be on the dark web?
So, while a Social Security account can help protect your benefits, it doesn’t safeguard the number itself. You can try to change your SSN, but there are only certain cases in which the government permits this — like if you’ve faced ongoing fraud or are at risk of physical harm or harassment. Jory MacKay is a writer and award-winning editor with over a decade of experience for online and print publications. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Victoria and a passion for helping people identify and avoid fraud. To lock your SIM, you’ll need to contact your cell phone provider and ask them to set a custom PIN to lock and unlock your SIM.
