Remember to keep detailed records of the dates and results of your credit report reviews. This documentation can be useful in the event of disputes or if you need to provide evidence of fraudulent activity. By staying vigilant and monitoring your credit reports, you can proactively protect yourself and take action promptly if any unauthorized activities are detected. Here are steps you can take to see if your information was stolen and then what to do if your Social Security number and other personal data were leaked in the massive data hack. For more information, here are the best identity theft protection services and how to freeze your credit.
How To Protect Yourself From Social Security Number Identity Theft
Specializing in producing informative yet creative content, Ashley writes her blogs with the intention of simplifying complex cybersecurity-related concepts to help individuals and businesses stay safe online. After confirming that your SSN is on the dark web, there are several steps you need to take immediately to protect your identity from further damage. 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.
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This guide aims to provide clear steps on what to do if your SSN is compromised and includes practical advice and prevention techniques to secure your personal information against cyber threats. In 2020 Experian suffered a breach that affected an estimated 24 million South Africans. For instance, attackers could use them to convince a phone company to port a victim’s cellphone number to a new device. The technique, known as SIM Swapping, allows cybercriminals to bypass two-factor authentication and gain access to everything from a target’s Twitter account to their bitcoin wallets. To help protect yourself from hidden threats on the dark web, consider using a tool to keep private information secure and prevent identity theft. The following methods are sample best practices to protect against and monitor for dark web threats.
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- Cybercriminals who have successfully acquired SSNs through various means can sell them to interested buyers.
- You should be skeptical of any job posting that requires you to enter personal information at the outset of an application.
- “With Marriott and the other hotel breaches, all of those credit cards got revoked and re-issued,” points out Henderson.
- Finding your SSN on the dark web is a serious issue, but with immediate action and vigilance, you can minimize the risks.
- You’ll need to request a credit freeze from each of the three major credit bureaus individually — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Remember that your personal information is valuable, and legitimate organizations will never request sensitive information via unsolicited communications. By reporting the incident to the authorities, you contribute to the collective effort in combating cybercrime and protect yourself from potential identity theft. Act swiftly to ensure that necessary investigations can be carried out and appropriate measures can be taken to safeguard your personal information. However, phishing and smishing campaigns can be very sophisticated, appear legitimate and often involve something called spoofing.
Verify The Source Of The Alert
Be sure to submit requests to each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Companies can collect and aggregate that publicly available data to gather a picture of who someone is, he said. National Public Data is a background check company that provides information either through legitimate sources or by scraping it off the web, Lee said.
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. Taking prompt, decisive action and remaining vigilant can mitigate the risks and protect your identity. Stay patient, persistent, and proactive in your approach to identity protection.
Use Identity Theft Protection Services
There are tools available that will monitor what information about you is available on the dark web, noted Michael Blair, managing director of cybersecurity firm NukuDo. Commonly breached data includes your personal addresses, passwords and email, he added. Not only is your social security number designed to stay with you for life, but it’s interknitted with your banking and credit history.
If you think you’ve been a victim of identity theft, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission and file a report. Look for any unusual activity, such as new accounts or charges you don’t recognize. If you see anything suspicious, contact the credit bureau and file a dispute. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—once every 12 months.
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This step restricts access to your credit file, stopping lenders from extending credit to scammers who may be using your identity. However, credit locks, which allow you to instantly lock and unlock your credit file, are usually paid services. The dark web is a hidden part of the internet where cybercriminals sell stolen data. If your SSN is found there, it means your personal information has been compromised, likely due to a data breach or phishing attack. 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.
Consider An Identity Theft Protection Service
If you were prevented from filing, you can submit the form with your paper tax return if someone else has already filed a return using your SSN. 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. You will not be able to file electronically and will need to submit a paper return. If fraud is suspected during processing, the IRS will contact you via mail with instructions. Most of the time, if a fraudulent account has been opened with your child’s Social Security number, you will need to contact one or all of the three major credit bureaus to open a dispute. Credit bureaus maintain records of most credit accounts, and disputes can be initiated if there is inaccurate or fraudulent information on your credit report.
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 vigilant, implementing strong security measures, and taking prompt action if your SSN is compromised, you can minimize the risks and safeguard your financial well-being and personal reputation. If you’re concerned about the security of your SSN and suspect it may have been compromised, you’re not alone. Discovering that your SSN is on the dark web can be a distressing experience, but it’s essential to take immediate action to protect yourself from potential identity theft.
Notify Your Financial Institutions
You can do this by going to the SSA website and either creating a new account or logging in to an existing account with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once you file the reports, keep them safe for when you may need them in the future. You can reach out to your local police department on a non-emergency number or contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. This will prevent anyone, yourself included, from accessing or making any changes to your Social Security record.
