If you do get a new SSN, it can affect your earnings history and credit, making it more difficult down the line to apply for legal documents and passports. Sign up for our newsletter and learn how to protect your computer from threats. Beyond the financial and privacy implications, SSN exposure can also cause emotional distress and consume significant time and resources to resolve. Social Security’s Self Lock feature keeps thieves from using your SSN for work authorization, which can help you avoid problems resulting from employment identity theft.
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Start your free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager today to discover its helpful features to protect your identity and SSN. Stefan Lembo-Stolba leads Experian Consumer Service’s data research on Ask Experian, publishing insights based on Experian’s credit data of over 220 million U.S. consumers. After the most recent breaches, I think everyone pretty much needs to assume their information is available. The real problem is that SSNs are not supposed to be used for identification but they have become so more or less by accident. Unlike when someone uses your information to trick a company, if a scammer tricks you into sending them money, you might not be able to get it back. And scammers who gather information about you from the dark web and elsewhere might be able to trick you more easily.
- Your mySocialSecurity account will show your benefits (if you have applied for them) and other helpful information.
- Only you and the IRS know your IP PIN, and it must be entered on every federal tax return.
- This means that anyone who knows where to look could potentially find it and use it to take over your financial life.
- 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.
- If you’re a previous victim of tax-related identity theft and the IRS has fixed your tax issues, they will mail you a CP01A Notice with a new IP PIN to use each year.
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As long as you stay vigilant, take quick action, and keep your personal information secure, you can reduce threats to a minimum. NordPass is here to help keep your sensitive information safe and out of the wrong hands. It’s unlikely that criminals will care to remove one data point from a single user request – even if you were able to find a way to contact them. Personal information is more valuable when it comes in large datasets, and hackers are more likely to use it as ransom to obtain money from breached companies.
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Using MFA can help keep others out of your account even if your username and password are leaked on the dark web—or elsewhere. Arizona Central Credit Union offers a wide assortment of digital banking tools, allowing you to manage your money wherever you are on the go. Your Social Security number is one of the most sensitive pieces of personal information you own.
Be Cautious Of Phishing Attempts
If you know you aren’t receiving any benefits but your account activity indicates you are, this could mean someone stole or bought your SSN from the dark web and is using your identity to receive benefits. You may be concerned if your Social Security number (SSN) was found on the dark web following the recent breach that, according to CNBC, exposed almost three billion SSNs. National Public Data, a company that conducts background checks, suffered a data breach involving SSNs, email addresses, phone numbers and home addresses.
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After the 2017 Equifax breach affecting more than 147 million consumers, for example, people reported receiving lawsuit payouts in late 2022 of less than $3 in some cases, while other said they got around $40. While legal organizations may tout the idea that money damages may be available to people affected by the breach, any sums that are eventually paid likely won’t be meaningful, Lee said. 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. If you think your SSN is floating around on the dark web, don’t hesitate to check with Aura. Data breaches happen daily and no matter the precautions, there’s no guarantee your private information is safe.
Step-by-step Guide: What To Do If Your SSN Is On The Dark Web
One such service is how Hofmann, who filed the lawsuit, found out that his information has been leaked as part of NPD breach. There are many similar companies that scrape public data to create files on consumers, which they then sell to other businesses, Steinhauer said. The company added that it is working with law enforcement and government investigators. NPD said it “will try to notify you if there are further significant developments applicable to you.” Angela’s expertise is grounded in a passion for staying at the forefront of emerging threats and protective measures.
The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefits history through its my Social Security account. It’s free to use and you can get an account even if you don’t receive benefits. Remember, taking immediate action is crucial when your SSN is on the dark web. By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can minimize the potential damage and protect yourself from further harm. It’s important to note that not all activities on the dark web are illegal. Whistleblowers, journalists, and individuals living under oppressive regimes may use the dark web to share sensitive information and protect their identities.
You can freeze your credit via the credit companies, Equifax Credit Freeze, Experian Credit Freeze, and TransUnion Credit Freeze. Some financial companies, such as Credit Karma, can also help you freeze your credit. ZDNET’s recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping.
You can create a myEquifax account to place a fraud alert and security freeze on your Equifax credit report. If someone uses your SSN to file a fraudulent tax return, it can cause delays in receiving your legitimate tax refund. By filing early, you reduce the chances of someone else using your SSN before you do. Earlier this month, a hacker leaked a version of the stolen NPD data for free on a hacking forum, tech site Bleeping Computer reported. All information, including rates and fees, are accurate as of the date of publication and are updated as provided by our partners. Some of the offers on this page may not be available through our website.
“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.
Change Your Passwords And Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Sometimes, websites offering dark web monitoring services may mistakenly flag your information. Verify through reputable sources such as credit monitoring services, your bank, or services provided by government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). With a credit freeze, the credit bureaus won’t release your information if a bank or other lender asks to see your report. And no lender will open a new account without first getting a look at your report. If you sometime in the future want to get a legit loan, you can lift the credit reports so your potential lender can get a look, and then you can freeze them again. Experian’s free credit monitoring service is one easy way to stay alert.
