Hackers reveal massive data breach: Social Security numbers of nearly every American, including 2.9 billion people in Canada and the UK, stolen

Recently, a significant data breach has surfaced, involving the possible theft of Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information for nearly every American. This breach, allegedly orchestrated by the hacking group USDoD, has sparked considerable concern about the potential for identity theft and fraud.

Data Breach Overview

In April, the hacking group USDoD claimed to have stolen personal records from National Public Data, a major data broker. The stolen data reportedly includes information on 2.9 billion individuals across the U.S., Canada, and the UK. The hackers initially offered this information for sale, and recently, a member of the group known as Felice has released much of it on an online marketplace.

The leaked data purportedly comprises 2.7 billion records, containing names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and phone numbers. National Public Data has not officially confirmed the breach or notified affected individuals but has claimed to have removed all entries from their database.

Risks and Potential Impact

The leaked information presents substantial risks. With such comprehensive details, fraudsters could potentially access and misuse financial accounts, insurance policies, and other sensitive services. While the leak does not include email addresses or identification photos, the available data could still facilitate various forms of identity theft and fraud.

James Hines Jr., a professor at the University of Michigan, warns that this breach could enable criminals to create fraudulent accounts or manipulate existing ones. With Social Security numbers and other personal details, scammers might gain unauthorized access to various services or impersonate individuals to commit financial crimes.

Steps to Protect Yourself

1. Freeze Your Credit

One of the most effective steps to mitigate potential damage is to place a freeze on your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This measure, which can be done online or by phone, prevents criminals from opening new credit accounts in your name. However, you will need to lift the freeze temporarily if you apply for new credit or services.

2. Monitor Your Accounts

Consider using a credit monitoring service, which may be provided free for a year by the company that experienced the breach. These services can help you detect suspicious activity and respond promptly.

3. Strengthen Your Passwords

Using unique and strong passwords for each of your online accounts can help prevent unauthorized access. Password manager apps can assist in creating and storing complex passwords securely.

4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security. Even if a fraudster obtains your password, they would still need a second factor, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app, to access your accounts.

5. Safeguard Your Phone

Since phone numbers can be hijacked through techniques like SIM swaps, protect your phone account with additional security measures. For instance, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer options to restrict changes to your phone account.

Be cautious of phishing attempts related to this breach. Scammers may pose as legitimate organizations seeking to exploit the situation. Avoid clicking on links or responding to unsolicited messages. Instead, contact companies directly using verified contact information to address any concerns.

Conclusion

While the full extent of the breach remains uncertain, the leaked data's potential impact is profound. Taking proactive measures to protect your personal information and being vigilant against scams can help mitigate the risks associated with this data breach.

In the long term, the incident underscores the need for robust data security practices and greater transparency from companies handling sensitive personal information.