The National Public Data breach has exposed the personal information of millions of Americans, raising concerns about identity theft and unauthorized use of sensitive data. According to reports, a cybercriminal group known as USDoD hacked into National Public Data’s systems in December 2023, potentially leaking nearly 3 billion personal records, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and mailing addresses. National Public Data, a data broker that sells personal information to various entities, obtains this information by scraping nonpublic sources without consent.
The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the breach, and the company is cooperating with law enforcement and governmental investigators while conducting its own review of the potentially affected records. To check if your Social Security number was part of the stolen data, you can visit websites set up by online security companies like Atlas Privacy and Pentester. These sites allow you to check for free without requiring you to enter your Social Security number.
social security breach impacts millions
If you believe your Social Security number was stolen, experts recommend taking several steps to protect yourself from identity theft. These include creating an online Social Security account, reporting the theft to the Federal Trade Commission and the Internal Revenue Service, monitoring your credit report regularly, and considering signing up for a credit monitoring service.
Getting a new Social Security number is not a simple process and should only be considered as a last resort if you have proof that your number is being used by someone else. To prevent identity theft in the future, experts advise against carrying your Social Security card in your wallet, memorizing your number, and being cautious when providing personal information over the phone or via email. While legal organizations may suggest that money damages may be available to those affected by the breach, experts caution that any payouts are likely to be minimal.
The focus should be on taking proactive steps to protect your personal information and mitigate the risk of identity theft.
