Americans are at heightened risk of identity theft after a massive data breach compromised billions of Social Security numbers. National Public Data, a Florida-based company, experienced a hack that resulted in sensitive information from nearly three billion individuals being stolen and listed for sale on the dark web, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.
The hacking group, known as USDoD, claimed responsibility for the breach, stating that it had acquired records containing full names, addresses, birth dates, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers. This information, which is used by companies and private investigators for background checks, was allegedly stolen in April and is being sold for $3.5 million.
Identity theft risks are severe if Social Security information is compromised. Criminals can use these details to access bank accounts fraudulently. Blair Cohen, founder and president of AuthenticID, highlighted the growing threat of identity crime in 2024, driven by new AI-powered tools that fraudsters use to exploit both businesses and consumers. “With the proliferation of new, generative AI-powered tools for fraudsters, businesses and consumers alike face a significant challenge in the form of breaches and business attacks,” Cohen noted in a recent report.
Though there is no definitive way to determine if your Social Security number was specifically stolen, Americans can take several proactive steps to mitigate their risk. Freezing credit files at major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—can prevent criminals from taking out loans or signing up for credit cards in your name.
Identity theft protection services, such as Identity Guard and LifeLock, offer alerts for potential breaches and are often available at no cost. Joseph Harisson, CEO of IT Companies Network, emphasized the importance of vigilance, advising individuals to watch for unexpected communications, monitor credit reports, consider fraud alerts, and update passwords regularly.
Strengthening account security with strong, frequently updated passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for bank and personal accounts can also help protect against unauthorized access. Regularly checking bank and credit card accounts can help flag suspicious activities promptly.
If you suspect that your personal information has already been compromised, visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov website is recommended to apply for a personal recovery plan. Additionally, notifying the Internal Revenue Service about the potential theft can prevent criminals from filing tax returns under your name to claim your tax refund. The Internet Complaint Center also allows individuals to file complaints online.
Alex Hamerstone, advisory solutions director for TrustedSec, stressed the need for robust IT systems that do not rely solely on employee credentials. “Multifactor authentication is absolutely vital, especially at a time when ransomware attacks are hitting companies left and right,” Hamerstone told Newsweek. “This should always be used.”
The hacking group, known as USDoD, claimed responsibility for the breach, stating that it had acquired records containing full names, addresses, birth dates, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers. This information, which is used by companies and private investigators for background checks, was allegedly stolen in April and is being sold for $3.5 million.
Identity theft risks are severe if Social Security information is compromised. Criminals can use these details to access bank accounts fraudulently. Blair Cohen, founder and president of AuthenticID, highlighted the growing threat of identity crime in 2024, driven by new AI-powered tools that fraudsters use to exploit both businesses and consumers. “With the proliferation of new, generative AI-powered tools for fraudsters, businesses and consumers alike face a significant challenge in the form of breaches and business attacks,” Cohen noted in a recent report.
Though there is no definitive way to determine if your Social Security number was specifically stolen, Americans can take several proactive steps to mitigate their risk. Freezing credit files at major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—can prevent criminals from taking out loans or signing up for credit cards in your name.
Identity theft protection services, such as Identity Guard and LifeLock, offer alerts for potential breaches and are often available at no cost. Joseph Harisson, CEO of IT Companies Network, emphasized the importance of vigilance, advising individuals to watch for unexpected communications, monitor credit reports, consider fraud alerts, and update passwords regularly.
Strengthening account security with strong, frequently updated passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for bank and personal accounts can also help protect against unauthorized access. Regularly checking bank and credit card accounts can help flag suspicious activities promptly.
If you suspect that your personal information has already been compromised, visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov website is recommended to apply for a personal recovery plan. Additionally, notifying the Internal Revenue Service about the potential theft can prevent criminals from filing tax returns under your name to claim your tax refund. The Internet Complaint Center also allows individuals to file complaints online.
Alex Hamerstone, advisory solutions director for TrustedSec, stressed the need for robust IT systems that do not rely solely on employee credentials. “Multifactor authentication is absolutely vital, especially at a time when ransomware attacks are hitting companies left and right,” Hamerstone told Newsweek. “This should always be used.”