This can ruin your credit score and leave you with thousands of dollars in debt. This code is usually sent to your phone via text message, so even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to access your account without also having your phone. The last thing you want is to leave yourself vulnerable to identity theft. So, keep reading until the very end to find out the best thing you can do when your SSN ends up on the dark web. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services.
How To Buy Cryptocurrency Without Ssn
By entering your name, you may get a sense of what information, if any, has been shared. The good news is most people are finding information that has been leaked is inaccurate, Lee said. As cyber professionals dig into the breached data, they’re finding that not all of it is accurate and much of the information was already available. To view important disclosures about the Experian Smart Money™ Digital Checking Account & Debit Card, visit experian.com/legal.
Monitor Your MySocialSecurity Account
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), the go-to organization for consumers to resolve complaints against businesses, also provided its own set instructions, which align with the SSA’s recommendations. The BBB, like the SSA, suggested monitoring your bank and credit card accounts for odd activities and purchases. The more information that identity thieves have on you, the easier it is for them to impersonate you to your bank, credit card company and mortgage lender. Using long, unique passwords and two-factor authentication for each account will make it that much harder for them to pose as you. Social Security number identity theft occurs when someone gains unauthorized access to your SSN.
Free Credit Report
2FA is like having an extra lock on your digital door, requiring both your password and a unique code or verification method to keep your accounts safe. If a scammer has already used your SSN to open new accounts, contact the companies immediately. For example, if someone has used your SSN to take out a mortgage, notify the lender or financial institution as soon as possible to let them know that the application was fraudulent. “We typically worry that extremely sensitive information has been disclosed, and that cybercriminals are intent on using your particular information to destroy your life. This is an exaggeration,” said Wolfe. “The dark web has tanker loads of data like your 2013 password for a yoga bulletin board. That is to say, most of this is trivial.”
Consider Professional Identity Theft Protection
- As alarming as these scenarios may seem, they are signs of a surprisingly common crime — identity theft.
- The lawsuit also alleges that the data includes personal information of deceased individuals.
- If your credit card number is stolen, your bank can issue a new one within days.
- You also have the right to add a security freeze to your credit reports from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
- And if your SSN is used to file a fraudulent tax return, you could end up owing the IRS a lot of money.
- Certain cyber groups have set up websites to enable individuals to search to see if their personal data was affected by the breach, Lee said.
Additionally, there are forums, chat rooms, and social networks where users can communicate anonymously. As you freeze your credit, be extra vigilant that you are on the legitimate websites of the credit bureaus, and not look-alike sites aimed at stealing your personal information. Certain cyber groups have set up websites to enable individuals to search to see if their personal data was affected by the breach, Lee said. One site — NPDBreach.com — allows for a search by full name and zip code, Social Security number or phone number. Another site — NPD.pentester.com — allows for search based on first name, last name, state and birth year.
Ways You Can Lose Your Social Security Benefits
The background check company, which is owned by Jerico Pictures Inc., recently released details of the breach after a proposed class action lawsuit alleged 2.9 billion personal records may have been exposed. Other reports suggest the amount of records leaked may have been more than 2.7 billion. All information, including rates and fees, are accurate as of the date of publication and are updated as provided by our partners.
Contact Companies Where Your SSN Was Used
Sign up for our newsletter and learn how to protect your computer from threats. Keep in mind—there is no foolproof way to know if someone is using your Social Security number. So, while a Social Security account can help protect your benefits, it doesn’t safeguard the number itself. You can try to change your SSN, but there are only certain cases in which the government permits this — like if you’ve faced ongoing fraud or are at risk of physical harm or harassment.
Step 8: Strengthen Your Online Security
- Always stay informed about cybersecurity best practices to protect your personal information.
- By staying vigilant and monitoring your credit reports, you can proactively protect yourself and take action promptly if any unauthorized activities are detected.
- Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try to protect your identity, a cybercriminal may still successfully open an account under your name.
- This step restricts access to your credit file, stopping lenders from extending credit to scammers who may be using your identity.
You should also reset your password for any other account where you have used the same or similar password. While dark web or SSN monitoring services give you a definitive answer as to whether your SSN is on the dark web, the other methods we described are less straightforward. 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. To file an identity theft report with the FTC, visit IdentityTheft.gov.
By requiring an additional verification step beyond a password, it greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and potential compromise of your personal information. Take the time to enable 2FA for your important accounts and enjoy the added peace of mind that comes with this robust security measure. Nowadays, the dark web has become synonymous with illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, weapons sales, counterfeit documents, and identity theft. It’s a hub for cybercriminals to trade stolen data, including Social Security numbers (SSNs), credit card information, and login credentials. Identity theft protection services can help monitor your credit and alert you to any suspicious activities.
Your first and most important step is to determine what type of information was exposed. 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.
And, in rare cases where you’re unable to protect yourself and are experiencing significant issues resulting from SSN exposure, you may qualify for a new Social Security number. “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.
Once you’ve locked your account, scammers can’t use your mobile data or make phone calls without your four-digit code. The bad news is that once your SSN has been leaked to the Dark Web, it’s virtually impossible for you to remove it. The best thing you can do is to proactively lock down your identity and accounts and be prepared for the worst.
