Check if your Social Security number is included in the national public data breach

A 2.9 billion records reported These photos were taken last December in a massive national data breach. You can check if your Social Security number was stolen and take steps to protect your information if your personal information is leaked. Here's how.

According to a statement issued in August by National General Data — Data broker sells personal information to private investigators, consumer public records sites, and human resources and recruitment agencies — A “bad third party” hacked the data and leaked the stolen information on the dark web. National Public Data obtained the information by collecting non-public sources without consent, According to a proposed class action lawsuit.

Here are steps you can take to find out if your information has been stolen and then protect your Social Security number if your personal data is leaked in a massive data breach. For more information, here are the best identity theft protection services and how to freeze your credit. For more information about Social Security, here are when to expect your Social Security check this month and four ways you could lose your Social Security benefits.

How was my personal information stolen in the national public data breach?

According to the National Public Data Statement “This month’s incident is believed to be related to a bad actor attempting to breach data in late December 2023, with some data leaks likely occurring in April 2024 and summer 2024.”

Theft– It is said The data collected by a cybercriminal group called USDoD may amount to nearly 3 billion people's personal records, including your name, email address, phone number, Social Security number, and mailing address.

The exact number of people whose information was stolen is still unknown. Maine Attorney General's Office The number reaches 1.3 million, It is said Based on conversations with the data broker. Troy Hunt to Have you been hacked? The stolen files are estimated to include 134 million unique email addresses.

How to Check If Your Social Security Number Was Stolen in the National Public Data Breach

Two online security companies have created websites that let you check for free whether your Social Security number is part of the stolen personal information cache: One https://www.npdbreach.com/ From Atlas Privacy, an online privacy company; the second is https://npd.pentester.com/ By cybersecurity firm Pentester.

Both search tools are easy to use and search for different information in the repository. Both showed that my personal information was stolen in the hack after searching the different states I lived in.

What is the National Public Data Authority doing to respond to data theft?

In a statement about the security breach, the company said it is cooperating with law enforcement and government investigators and is reviewing records that may have been affected. For those whose information was stolen, the company said it “will attempt to notify you if there are other significant developments that apply to you” and recommends you closely monitor your financial accounts for any unauthorized activity.

How do I know if my social security number has been leaked?

Although you can't stop the theft, you can monitor your credit reports and financial accounts for any unexpected activity to see if your Social Security number and other personal information is being used.

Check if your stolen data has been leakedTo get started, check out a free site like: Have you been hacked? To find out if your email has been leaked as part of a data breach.

Monitor your credit reports: To detect identity theft, Request one free credit report per year. From each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and Transunion — Look for any unusual activity, such as a new account you didn't open. Also monitor your credit card and bank statements for any unexpected charges or payments.

Sign up for credit monitoringA credit monitoring service can continually monitor your credit report across the major credit bureaus and alert you when it detects unusual activity. With a monitoring service, you can set up fraud alerts that will alert you if someone is trying to use your identity to establish credit, including someone trying to use your Social Security number. Here are the best identity theft protection services.

I think my Social Security number has been stolen. What should I do?

First, if you think your Social Security number has been stolen, know that the Social Security Administration itself can’t do much if someone uses your stolen information to, say, open a line of credit or get a job. Here’s what you can do.

Go to the Federal Trade Commission Identity theft Fill out a form to receive a personalized recovery plan. This plan walks you through everything you need to know about protecting yourself from fraud and recovering your identity. You can also call 877-438-4337.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service If your Social Security number is stolen to prevent a thief from using your number to file a tax return and get a tax refund or to prevent them from using your number to get a job. If a thief uses your Social Security number to get a job, the taxes owed may appear on your record. Visit the IRS website Identity Theft Center To dispute these claims, get help and clarify any issues you have.

Submit a complaint online to Online Crime Complaints Centerwhich monitors cybercrime complaints to combat online crime. It is also advisable to check your credit report from time to time to detect any suspicious behavior as it occurs. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com To receive a free credit report.

Contact the Social Security Administration If you believe your Social Security number has been compromised, the department can help you review your data.

Do I need a new Social Security number?

If you have taken all of the steps recommended by the Social Security Administration and your Social Security number is no longer being used by anyone other than you, you do not need to apply for a new Social Security number. If you have taken all of the necessary steps and your number is still being used, You can apply for a new one..

But the administration doesn't make it easy to get a new Social Security number. You'll need to prove that your number is still being used by someone other than you. The administration said If you lose your card or think someone has stolen your number but you have no proof that someone else is using it, you won't be able to get a new card.

What can I do in the future to help prevent identity theft?

Sometimes, as happened with the national public data breach, there’s not much you can do to keep your information safe. But you can take steps to reduce the risk.

Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Instead, store it in a safe place in your home. Try to memorize your number so you don't have to pull out your card every time you fill out a document that requires it. If you have to give your number over the phone, make sure you're away from other people who might overhear you.

Employers and landlords often require documents to be sent electronically via email. If you must provide your Social Security number or other personal documents via email, try encrypting the document with a password or providing your number separately in a phone call.

The employer will need your Social Security number to conduct a background check. But you should be skeptical of any job posting that requires you to enter personal information at the beginning of the application. Unless you are starting a new job and have an offer in hand, you should not provide your Social Security number to a hiring manager.

Finally, always check your bank statements and credit reports regularly to address any issues as soon as they arise. Enable two-factor authentication on your passwords to protect your private information on websites and apps. And check the source of your notifications — whether they’re phone calls or emails. The Social Security Administration generally says it I will only call you if you request the call.If you believe you have received a fraudulent call or email, do not provide the person with any personal information.

How else can my personal data be stolen?

Theft happens everywhere, all the time. People steal their wallets and purses or go through their mail looking for personal banking or credit card information. The Social Security Administration warns that people rummaging through trash outside their homes or businesses looking for important information is another way identity theft occurs, along with people purchasing personal information from inside sources. There is also the risk of receiving phone calls, text messages or emails from sources that appear to be official but are actually scammers trying to trick you into revealing information.

like CNET's Bree Fowler explains,Cyber ​​attacks occur when hackers infiltrate online accounts using combinations of usernames and passwords that have often been stolen in previous data breaches and use them to break into as many accounts as possible. This strategy is reason enough to protect your passwords and use passkeys whenever possible.