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. Discovering that your Social Security number (SSN) is on the dark web can be a distressing experience. However, taking immediate action and implementing the appropriate measures can help minimize the potential risks and protect yourself from identity theft and financial fraud. These dangers highlight the importance of actively monitoring and protecting your personal information.
- By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft, even if your personal information has been exposed on the dark web.
- To access the dark web, users typically utilize anonymity networks such as Tor (The Onion Router) that conceal their identities and online activities.
- In extreme cases, you may consider requesting a new SSN from the Social Security Administration.
- Fraudsters have a plethora of ways they can use personal information maliciously.
- If you think you’re a victim of identity theft, first contact the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission.
Sign Up For MyE-Verify, And “self-lock” Your SSN
- If you’ve determined that your child’s information was stolen and misused, consider also reporting the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees identity theft issues for the federal government.
- One way to make sure people don’t have access to your credit is to freeze it.
- Here a few things you can do to help secure your family’s personal information.
- There is little you can do if your child’s email is floating around the web other than having them create a new email address and educating them on how to stay protected from email scams.
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.”
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Odds are that your records — including, possibly, your Social Security number (SSN) — are in those databases. With your SSN, criminals can open credit card accounts, apply for loans, hijack your tax refunds, use your government benefits or even apply for jobs. 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. Formally reporting the SSN compromise is an important step in the recovery process.
Top Cybersecurity Tools For Small And Medium Businesses (SMBs)
However, keep in mind you will need to either temporarily or permanently unfreeze your credit if you want to apply for a new credit card or auto loan, for example. Cybercriminals can post SSNs on the dark web after data breaches to sell them on illegal marketplaces or use them as ransom. Although you might not be able to remove your SSN from the dark web yourself, you can still take action to protect your personal data from being misused by cybercriminals.
Update Your Passwords, And Enable Two-factor Authentication (2FA)
If your credit card number is stolen, your bank can issue a new one within days. If your passport or driver’s license is stolen, you can get a replacement issued with brand new numbers. 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 you think you’re a victim of identity theft, first contact the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission.
It’s a hub for cybercriminals to trade stolen data, including Social Security numbers (SSNs), credit card information, and login credentials. In an August statement on the security breach, the company said it’s cooperating with law enforcement and governmental investigators and conducting a review of the potentially affected records. Identity theft protection services can help monitor your credit and alert you to any suspicious activities. Some services also offer insurance to cover potential losses due to identity theft, as well as assistance in recovering your identity. Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert notifies potential creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name.
Concerned readers can find out whether they are one of the billions who are affected by visiting npd.pentester.com. To view important disclosures about the Experian Smart Money™ Digital Checking Account & Debit Card, visit experian.com/legal. Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more. Here’s a breakdown of what your personal details might go for on underground marketplaces, according to the Dark Web Price Index by Privacy Affairs. Now that we understand the gravity of the situation, let’s explore the steps you should take to protect yourself.
How Dangerous Is It If Your SSN Is On The Dark Web?
To implement a credit freeze, you must contact each of the three credit bureaus individually (online, phone, or mail). Both fraud alerts and credit freezes are free to place and do not negatively impact your credit score. A credit freeze significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized accounts being opened in your name. However, it’s important to note that it does not prevent all forms of identity theft or fraud.
What Can Happen If Your SSN Leaks To The Dark Web?
Experian spoke with Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, about the impacts of identity fraud and the possible actions you can take if your child has been affected. However, it also serves as a key identifier for a variety of identity verification processes. You have to freeze your reports separately at each credit bureau, which you can do online, over the phone or by mail. Your rights and protections can depend on how the fraudsters get into your accounts and what they steal.
Want To Maximize Your Social Security Retirement Benefits? Do These Things Now
One way to make sure people don’t have access to your credit is to freeze it. When you freeze your credit, you prevent fraudsters from accessing your credit file. Having your Social Security Number (SSN) exposed on the dark web presents a threat to your identity and financial security. Misuse of this sensitive information can lead to fraud, such as opening new credit accounts, filing fraudulent tax returns, or obtaining medical services in your name. Taking prompt action is essential to mitigate harm and protect against identity theft, significantly reducing financial loss.
WHAT WE MONITOR FOR
If you suspect your social security number has been stolen, you need to take action immediately. Most crimes occur within 24hrs of obtaining your personal information, some of which could take years to fix. Ultimately, the best thing you can do to protect yourself from identity theft is keep your sensitive information private, secure, and off the Dark Web. If a scammer has already used your SSN to open new accounts, contact the companies immediately.
Government officials are warning that many American Social Security numbers may be on the dark web for others to purchase and use for fraud. Justin Cappos, a computer science professor and cybersecurity expert at New York University, joins CBS News with more details. If your child’s phone number was found somewhere on the internet, there is little you can do to combat the issue except change their phone number and remain vigilant against phone scams. This discovery shows that your child’s email address was found somewhere on the internet.
