The dark web serves as a marketplace for cybercriminals to trade and sell stolen personal information, including Social Security numbers (SSNs). There are several ways in which SSNs end up on the dark web, often as a result of data breaches, hacking incidents, or the activities of malicious actors. Welcome to the digital age, where personal information has become a valuable commodity on the internet. The dark web, a hidden part of the internet, is notorious for being a hub of illegal activities.
A credit monitoring service notices any changes in your credit report and alerts you if there is suspicious activity that could indicate fraud. Remember, some credit card companies offer this service for free if you have an account with them, so contact your credit card company to see if they offer credit monitoring. A credit monitoring service can constantly monitor your credit report on major credit bureaus and alert you when it detects unusual activity. With a monitoring service, you can set fraud alerts that notify you if someone is trying to use your identity to create credit, including someone trying to use your Social Security number. A child’s untapped identity and credit history is an attractive target for identity thieves, who open credit cards, commit tax fraud, apply for government benefits, or find a place to work or live. This kind of identity compromise can go undetected for years — at least until your child applies for a credit card account or loan.
Data Breach Of Your Personally Identifiable Information
Accessible only through special software, it hosts various illicit activities, including the sale of illegal goods and services. Did you know that 1 in 50 children are affected by child identity fraud? In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that incidents of identity theft where the victim was under age 19 increased 50% last year.
Top Cybersecurity Tools For Small And Medium Businesses (SMBs)
In its statement, NPD also urged people to put free fraud alerts on their accounts, which “tells creditors to contact you before they open any new accounts or change your existing accounts,” it said. You’ll have to contact just one of the three credit bureaus to create a fraud alert, and that agency will alert the others. These services can provide extra protection and peace of mind when dealing with potential identity theft risks. Social Security numbers are highly valuable because they are tied to individuals and used by institutions that access and handle sensitive personal information.
- The Dark Web is a layer of the internet that’s only accessible by using special tools such as the Tor browser.
- Your mySocialSecurity account will show your benefits (if you have applied for them) and other helpful information.
- Call your bank immediately and report and dispute fraudulent charges, cancel your card, and request a new one.
- One site — NPDBreach.com — allows for a search by full name and zip code, Social Security number or phone number.
- If your email was found on the Dark Web, you could be at risk of identity theft or fraud.
Sign Up For Identity Theft Protection
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. Join LifeLock Standard to monitor the dark web for your SSN and get alerts of potential fraud. Being proactive is one of the best ways to protect your child’s personal information and identity.
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. 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. Because most people don’t use the Dark Web, it’s hard to know for sure whether your SSN has been compromised — or if someone is using your identity. Whenever possible, switch to digital statements and secure them with encryption.
Both lookup tools are easy to use and search for different pieces of information in the stash. Both showed my personal information was stolen in the hack after I searched the different states I’ve lived in. Just note that to see if your private information is out there, you’ll have to enter some private information into the websites. Some of the exposed information includes Social Security numbers, home addresses, full names, information on relatives, and more. Concerned readers can find out whether they are one of the billions who are affected by visiting npd.pentester.com.
Lock Your SIM With Your Cell Phone Provider
The dark web is a notorious part of the internet known for its use by cybercriminals and identity thieves, and you certainly don’t want your personal info showing up there. Learn how to tell if your SSN is on the dark web and what to do if it is. Then, join LifeLock for dark web monitoring and other powerful identity theft protection features. To help you find out if your child’s identity has been compromised, you can request a minor’s credit report to see if any fraudulent credit information appears for your child.
Check Your Credit Report And Bank Statements
Lenders use many different credit scoring systems, and the score you receive with Aura is not the same score used by lenders to evaluate your credit. Since it’s almost impossible to remove data once it’s been leaked to the Dark Web, prevention is the best way to protect yourself. With just your Social Security number (SSN), scammers can apply for loans, open bank accounts, and commit crimes — all in your name.
Records Of Nearly 3 Billion People Stolen In Massive Data Breach: Lawsuit
If you do get a new SSN, it can affect your earnings history and credit, making it more difficult down the line to apply for legal documents and passports. Sign up for our newsletter and learn how to protect your computer from threats. Beyond the financial and privacy implications, SSN exposure can also cause emotional distress and consume significant time and resources to resolve. Social Security’s Self Lock feature keeps thieves from using your SSN for work authorization, which can help you avoid problems resulting from employment identity theft.
In other words, one individual could have separate records for each address where they’ve lived, which means the number of impacted people may be far lower than the lawsuit claims, the site noted. 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. “With Marriott and the other hotel breaches, all of those credit cards got revoked and re-issued,” points out Henderson. Every day, it seems, another data security disaster puts our personal information at risk. If it’s not a major hotel or restaurant chain getting hacked, it’s a financial institution.
A cybercriminal group called “USDoD” exposed a database owned by National Public Data, a background check company, on a dark web forum. Information security company McAfee reported that it hasn’t found any filings with state attorneys general. Some states require companies that have experienced data breaches to file reports with their AG offices. A compromised social security number is much more problematic than when other types of personal data hacked. 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.
- Are you concerned your Social Security number (SSN) may be on the dark web?
- Even when they are shut down, such as when the FBI took down the SSNDOB Dark Web marketplace, criminals can simply re-upload the information to another site.
- Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed or encounter complex issues.
- Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
- Signing up for a credit monitoring service can help you keep your identify safe, while giving you peace of mind.
- You will also want to let your credit card companies know your identify has been compromised.
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. To place a freeze on your credit report, you’ll need to contact each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Each agency has its own process for placing a freeze, so be sure to follow their instructions carefully. Once the alerts are in place, businesses will be required to verify your identity before granting credit.
Stay vigilant and continue to monitor your financial statements and credit reports regularly for any signs of unauthorized activity. If your SSN was leaked, check your credit reports (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) for any unauthorized activity (and do so regularly going forward!). Report any suspicious transactions to the credit bureaus, via their websites, and place a credit freeze to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Tax-related identity theft is when someone uses your Social Security number to file a false tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.
