Identity thieves can open phone, electricity, water, and other utility accounts, accruing charges in your name and damaging your credit. Like a credit freeze, a utility security freeze restricts access to your utility account information. This helps prevent identity thieves from opening new utility accounts in your name and racking up charges you may end up being responsible for. There’s a central organization called the National Consumer Telecom & Utilities Exchange (NCTUE) that manages utility security freezes.
If your SSN has been leaked, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your financial accounts. Early detection of your SSN on the dark web allows you to take swift action to secure your identity and financial accounts before significant damage can occur. From freezing your credit to changing passwords and securing your accounts, the quicker you can respond to a potential exposure, the better you can protect yourself from the fallout of identity theft and cyber fraud.
The Social Security Administration has put a one-stop shop on what you can do to protect yourself if you believe you may have been affected by the breach. I get so many calls during my national radio show and DMs from folks who think they’re being stalked. Technology and cybersecurity expert Kim Komando dishes the dirty details about the five most duplicitous scams swirling the web right now. After the most recent breaches, I think everyone pretty much needs to assume their information is available.
Monitor Your MySocialSecurity Account
If you’re concerned that your data’s been being used against you, it’s time to use an identity theft protection and credit monitoring service to protect yourself. Beyond credit protection, immediately change passwords for all online accounts, especially financial, email, and social media accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second verification, like a code sent to your phone.
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- Many members of the UC Berkeley community have recently received alerts from Experian that their Social Security numbers were found on the dark web, a part of the web that does not show up in online searches.
- This type of attack is known as a “SIM swap” and allows fraudsters to intercept your phone calls and texts—including 2FA codes and password reset links.
- The data leaked also includes full names, phone numbers, and current and past addresses.
- If more than 60 days go by, you could be responsible for the full amount of new unauthorized transactions.
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- It is crucial to have a bank security freeze to protect your identity from being stolen and used by someone else to open a bank account in your name.
- There’s no mention of NPD on his personal site and an email seeking comment about his involvement with the company was not returned.
- It’s important to note that not all activities on the dark web are illegal.
- To safeguard your Social Security number, use the government’s free Self Lock feature.
- Earlier this month, a hacker leaked a version of the stolen NPD data for free on a hacking forum, tech site Bleeping Computer reported.
Some financial companies, such as Credit Karma, can also help you freeze your credit. Filing a police report is often necessary, especially if specific fraud instances are identified or creditors require it. When filing, bring a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, government-issued photo ID, proof of address, and other theft evidence. Request a copy of the police report, as this document, combined with your FTC report, forms a comprehensive Identity Theft Report. 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. Credit freezes are also free because they are mandated and governed by federal law, but they are slower to activate and deactivate than a credit lock.
Lock Your SIM With Your Cell Phone Provider
The best chance to remove your SSN from the dark web is to get law enforcement involved, such as the FBI or the FTC, but even that is not a guaranteed solution. Otherwise, you may be held liable for all criminal activity that took place with your Social Security number in use. Ramifications range from debt collections and financial fines to arrest warrants and criminal records in connection to the person whose personal information was misused. If your Social Security number has been breached, it opens the gateway to accessing other personal information related to you.
Preventive Measures: How To Protect Your SSN
The discovery of your SSN on the Dark Web can be alarming and can open the door to various forms of identity theft and fraud. In recent times, data breaches have become more common, leaking sensitive information like SSNs onto parts of the internet where criminals can easily access and misuse them. For instance, residents in Oakland found their SSNs exposed following a city-wide data breach, underscoring the reality and closeness of this threat. However, if your data has been stolen in a data breach – which are common these days — your SSN has likely been posted onto the Dark Web.
Long-term Strategy For Social Security Number Protection
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. Once the alerts are in place, businesses will be required to verify your identity before granting credit. Look for any unusual activity, such as new accounts or charges you don’t recognize.
Taking Immediate Action
This anonymity has made the dark web a breeding ground for illegal activities, including the buying and selling of stolen personal information. Banks and agencies—including the IRS—increasingly require you to use MFA to sign in to your accounts. Freezing your credit reports limits access to your reports and keeps creditors from checking your credit in response to a new application. As a result, creditors may deny applications in your name while a freeze is in place. Your SSN is a crucial piece of personal information that can be used to commit fraud and identity theft. Acting quickly and decisively to protect your identity and financial well-being is essential in this situation.
One of the most alarming scenarios for any individual is discovering that their Social Security number (SSN) has been found on the dark web. In extreme cases, you may consider requesting a new SSN from the Social Security Administration. However, this is a difficult process, and a new SSN won’t necessarily solve all the problems related to identity theft. Finally, if your SSN is on the dark web, it means that it’s also probably floating around on the regular internet as well.
When I filed my taxes recently, I located my Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), but it had expired, so the IRS rejected my return. Luckily, I had already set up my IRS account online, so I was easily able to retrieve a new IP PIN and file my taxes successfully. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Note that placing a freeze will also impact your ability to apply for credit. If you want to make a new application, you may need to temporarily unfreeze your credit to allow creditors to access your credit report and review your eligibility. 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.
While the dark web may seem like an inaccessible place, personal data can end up there quite easily. Protecting yourself from these threats is essential to keeping your information safe. The dark web is often used for illegal activities, such as buying and selling drugs or weapons, money laundering, and even human trafficking.
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Therefore, it is essential to take this step seriously and obtain an identity theft pin from the IRS to prevent this type of fraud. Imagine receiving a notification from Lifelock or your credit card company informing you that your social security number has been discovered on the dark web. In the digital era, it is becoming increasingly common for personal information to be compromised, and figuring out how your information was exposed is rare. This could have resulted from swiping your credit card, attending an educational institution, providing your information to your doctor, or even a breach that occurred through your employer.
