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. You will also want to let your credit card companies know your identify has been compromised. After your Social Security number is plastered on the dark web, opening new accounts in your name isn’t the only thing you have to worry about.
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. 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. Discovering that your Social Security number (SSN) is on the dark web can be a distressing experience.
Award-winning identity theft protection with AI-powered digital security tools, 24/7 White Glove support, and more. Implementing these measures as part of your daily routine can significantly enhance your digital security posture, making it more challenging for cybercriminals to compromise your personal information. Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process of vigilance and adaptation to new threats. The FTC may also use your report to help establish identity theft trends, which can contribute towards future legal action or the creation of new resources that can help other potential victims. When your SSN has been found on the dark web, you should immediately change all your passwords to prevent a cybercriminal from accessing any more of your private information. You can quickly change all your passwords by using a password manager, such as Keeper, which can generate new, strong passwords for each of your accounts.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Social Security Number Has Been Stolen
Remember, if your SSN has been breached, so has other personal information. Update all your passwords, especially those you use for government, financial, and medical portals. This will help protect your accounts from being compromised and other personal information from getting into the wrong hands. Every American is entitled to a complementary copy of their credit report annually. You should review your credit report every year so you can spot any suspicious activity that you didn’t initiate, such as new accounts or lines of credit. For example, if your SSN is used to open new lines of credit in your name, the damage to your credit score could take years to repair.
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Any unusual activity such as that we described above is a strong indication that your SSN has likely been exposed and is circulating on the dark web. You’ll want to secure all of your online accounts by setting new, unique passwords for each one. It should also include upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special symbols. If your SSN has been leaked online, there’s a good chance other personal data about you is available as well — including your passwords.
Credits & Deductions
Let me walk you through what you need to do now to protect yourself and prevent further harm. Credit monitoring can help you detect possible identity fraud, and can prevent surprises when you apply for credit. However, your report can still be accessed for other reasons, such as if your current creditor wants to review your report or if you want to check your own credit. You’ll also want to remember to unfreeze or temporarily “thaw” your reports when you legitimately apply for a new credit card or loan.
This type of account lets you track and manage your current benefits, including checking if anyone has filed a claim. By keeping tabs on your Social Security benefits, you can ensure no one is getting what is yours. 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.
She spends most of her time between her two feline friends and traveling. Atlas Privacy, one of the websites, says it does not store any of the data you enter into its search tool at npdbreach.com. It’s unclear, although the lawsuit claims that NPD “has still not provided any notice or warning” to Hoffman or other people affected by the breach. However, Bleeping Computer reported that the file was later leaked for free on a hacker forum, as noted above.
Sign Up For MyE-Verify And “self-lock” Your SSN
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. This reduces the chances of physical theft or accidental exposure of sensitive documents. Cybercriminals use marketplaces on the dark web to sell and trade personal information.
What Are The Consequences Of Having Your SSN On The Dark Web?
If you suspect unusual activity, report it to the relevant authorities like the FTC, local police, and credit bureaus immediately. Stolen identities are regularly sold on the dark web because they are a valuable and long-term investment to a fraudster. Most people find out too late that they’re fraud victims and are plunged into debt. They will notify you once your identity is used or listed for sale, helping you take steps to protect yourself immediately.
Employment Fraud
The dark web—a hidden part of the internet accessible only through specialized software—is a marketplace for stolen personal information, including SSNs, credit card details, and account credentials. You can change your SSN but the SSA only allows this under specific circumstances. Changing your SSN can cause problems with your credit report and make applying for legal documents such as passports more difficult. Instead, in most cases, it’s best to take steps to mitigate the consequences of a stolen SSN. Setting up 2FA won’t do you any good if cybercriminals have access to your phone number. With your SSN, they can contact your service provider to receive a new SIM.
- Once the alerts are in place, businesses will be required to verify your identity before granting credit.
- Furthermore, there is a thriving underground market for stolen data on the dark web.
- ⁴ Child members on the family plan will only have access to online account monitoring and social security number monitoring features.
- If you’re not closely monitoring your credit card activity, the charges can quickly get out of hand.
- If your return was rejected due to someone claiming your dependent’s social security number, you will need to file a separate Form for them.
Proven Ways For Online Gamers To Avoid Cyber Attacks And Scams
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. By combining a credit freeze with regular monitoring and other security measures, you take proactive steps to protect your financial well-being and personal information. Although you should regularly monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity, you should review your credit reports – especially if you believe your SSN has been compromised. Your credit report will include PII, credit card account information, loans in your name and credit inquiries.
In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that incidents of identity theft where the victim was under age 19 increased 50% last year. Louis DeNicola is freelance personal finance and credit writer who works with Fortune 500 financial services firms, FinTech startups, and non-profits to teach people about money and credit. His clients include BlueVine, Discover, LendingTree, Money Management International, U.S News and Wirecutter. Having safety measures in place can help protect you from identity theft or fraud regardless of how someone gets your information. You can check to see if and what information is out there with a free dark web scan.
He spent a handful of years at Peachpit Press, editing books on everything from the first iPhone to Python. He also worked at a handful of now-dead computer magazines, including MacWeek and MacUser. You’ll need proof that your number continues to be used by someone other than yourself.
By regularly monitoring your reports, you can ensure that the information is accurate and that no one has opened accounts in your name. “The most important thing you can do is put a freeze on your credit,” says Chapple. This is the strongest way to protect the sensitive data in your credit reports and, as of last September, the process is completely free. Additionally, you should change all your passwords, particularly if you have repeated passwords among multiple websites. Ideally, you should enable multi-factor authentication for personal websites to help keep your financial data secure. Also, never share your personal information while using public internet.
