Upon discovering your SSN has been compromised, placing a fraud alert on your credit reports is a first step. You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—which then notifies the other two. An initial fraud alert lasts for one year and requires businesses to verify your identity before extending new credit, often requiring direct contact to confirm your application. As someone who works in human resources, I understand the significance of safeguarding your employment information.
- He aims to help readers learn how to navigate their digital lives more safely.
- 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.
- 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.
- Get alerted if we detect your information somewhere suspicious so you can take action right away.
- Unlike the surface web, which is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, the dark web requires specific software, configurations, and knowledge to access.
- You should also add an extra layer of protection to your accounts by enabling 2FA wherever possible.
How To Report Suspected Fraud
The suits claim as many as 2.9 billion people — that’s right, billion with a “B” — may have been affected, while other officials have said the number is in the millions. While the exact number is unclear, what we do know is that we should all take steps to protect ourselves. The breach of National Public Data may have put billions of personal records at risk, but the scope of the attack and impact on consumers are still unclear.
You Receive Notices From The IRS
Select three security questions and remember your answers, as you will be asked the same questions when you are ready to remove the lock from your SSN. If you need assistance with protecting your identity, get assistance today. Just note that to see if your private information is out there, you’ll have to enter some private information into the websites. An estimated 2.9 million Social Security numbers and other PII have been leaked onto the dark web in a National Public Data breach. In the disclosure, NPD acknowledged that a third-party threat actor attempted to hack into NPD data in December 2023, with potential leaks in April 2024 and summer 2024. National Public Data (NPD) is a data broker company based in Coral Springs, Fla.
While data breaches are the primary means by which your SSN can end up on the Dark Web, breaches aren’t the only threat. Scammers can use phishing websites, hack Wi-Fi networks, and use bots and malware to steal personal information. An IP PIN, or Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, is a six-digit number the IRS assigns to help them verify your identity when you file a tax return. You should create one as soon as you discover that your SSN is on the dark web. Otherwise, an identity thief could file a fraudulent tax return using your SSN and claim a refund before you do. But, if you don’t check and — if necessary — protect your accounts, your identity can be stolen.
Sign Up For Identity Theft Protection
Create or log in to your mySocialSecurity account to see if there has been any suspicious activity. Your mySocialSecurity account will show your benefits (if you have applied for them) and other helpful information. If you are not receiving any benefits, your mySocialSecurity account will show proof of this. To monitor your account, just sign in and review your statements if you have any. If you know you aren’t receiving any benefits but your account activity indicates you are, this could mean someone stole or bought your SSN from the dark web and is using your identity to receive benefits. For extra security, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts.
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office Of Strategic And Digital Communications
Look online or contact your carrier to find out what you need to do to enable them. Additionally, you might be able to use a password manager to create a passkey for your accounts. You can check to see if and what information is out there with a free dark web scan. And while there might not be a simple way to get your information removed from the dark web, you can take measures to protect your accounts and identity. Offer pros and cons are determined by our editorial team, based on independent research. The banks, lenders, and credit card companies are not responsible for any content posted on this site and do not endorse or guarantee any reviews.
Lock Your SIM
With various reports of data breaches involving Social Security numbers in the media, we’d like to remind you about the importance of protecting your personal information. Someone illegally using your Social Security number (SSN) and possibly assuming your identity can cause many problems. If your identity is stolen because your SSN was exposed on the dark web, file an identity theft report with the FTC. You’ll receive helpful guidance covering the next steps to take and create a permanent record of the incident, which can be helpful when communicating with credit bureaus or banks as you try to resolve issues.
Was Your Social Security Number Stolen In Massive Data Hack? Here’s How To Find Out
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) myE-Verify website shows a record of jobs you’ve had (this is where your employer checked your SSN before hiring you). It also allows you to “lock” your SSN to stop scammers from using your SSN to illegally obtain employment in your name. In this guide, we’ll show you how to find out if your SSN is on the Dark Web, what to do if it is, and how to protect your sensitive personal information from scammers and cyberattacks. Aura’s service does not monitor for all content or your child’s behavior in real time. If you don’t feel safer after signing up for Aura, we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee on all annual plans — no questions asked. 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.
Can You Change Your SSN If It Was Leaked?
Experian is a globally recognized financial leader, committed to being a Big Financial Friend—empowering millions to take control of their finances through expert guidance and innovative tools. As a trusted platform for money management, credit education, and identity protection, our mission is to bring Financial Power to All™. The Dark Web is a dangerous place, and if your Social Security Number is found on it, it could have serious consequences. However, by taking some simple steps, you can help to protect yourself from identity theft and other risks. Many major online services (including Google, Facebook, and Twitter) now offer two-factor authentication, so there’s no excuse not to enable it. Once the alerts are in place, businesses will be required to verify your identity before granting credit.
I Received A Dark Web Alert — What Should I Do?
The stolen data is then used as ransom or sold to the highest bidder on the dark web — the unindexed part of the internet where unlawful activity thrives. You’ll need to request a credit freeze from each of the three major credit bureaus individually — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. They will each ask for personal data and provide a secret PIN to freeze or “thaw” your file when needed. By implementing these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of your SSN and other personal information being compromised. While it’s impossible to eliminate the threat of cybercrime entirely, taking these steps will make it much harder for cybercriminals to access and misuse your data. With reports indicating that every SSN in the US has likely been compromised at least once, the question isn’t if your SSN can end up on the dark web, but rather what to do when it happens.
Odds are that your records — including, possibly, your Social Security number (SSN) — are in those databases. Secure physical documents containing your SSN by storing them in a safe place (e.g., locked box, fireproof safe) and shredding old documents displaying your number. Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on all online accounts, including social media, to limit publicly accessible personal information. Be mindful of what you share online, as even innocuous details can be pieced together by identity thieves. Unlike credit freezes, credit locks may or may not be free, but they are faster to put on your account than a freeze.
Can You Prevent Your SSN From Ending Up On The Dark Web?
The discovery of your SSN on the Dark Web can be alarming and can open the door to various forms of identity theft and fraud. In recent times, data breaches have become more common, leaking sensitive information like SSNs onto parts of the internet where criminals can easily access and misuse them. For instance, residents in Oakland found their SSNs exposed following a city-wide data breach, underscoring the reality and closeness of this threat.
