Massive Data Breach: Hackers May Have Stolen Social Security Numbers of Every American!
Every American’s most sensitive info—including Social Security numbers and home addresses—may be in the hands of hackers. 🌐 #News #Finance #DataBreach #IdentityTheft
ST. PAUL, MN – A shocking data breach has left millions of Americans’ personal information exposed. A hacking group known as USDoD has claimed responsibility for stealing an estimated 2.7 billion records, which include Social Security numbers and physical addresses of individuals across the United States.
The data, which also impacts citizens in the UK and Canada, was reportedly taken from National Public Data (NPD), a platform that provides personal information to employers, private investigators, and other entities conducting background checks.
The hackers have since offered this treasure trove of sensitive information for sale on a dark web forum, seeking a staggering $3.5 million for the entire database.
How the Hack Unfolded
According to reports from Bleeping Computer and confirmed by Engadget, the breach occurred several months ago. Following the theft, a member of the hacking group began leaking portions of the data on forums notorious for trading stolen information.
While earlier leaks from the same group included phone numbers and email addresses, this latest release focuses on more sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and physical addresses.
The Los Angeles Times has reported that the breach led to a class-action lawsuit filed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against National Public Data. The lawsuit accuses the platform of failing to secure the personal information it holds, making it vulnerable to such a massive cyberattack.
Protecting Your Personal Information
In light of this breach, experts are urging individuals to take immediate steps to protect their personal information. Monitoring your credit reports for any unusual activity is crucial. If any suspicious transactions are detected, it’s recommended to notify the major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—immediately.
One of the most effective ways to safeguard against identity theft is to place a freeze on your credit accounts. This action prevents unauthorized access, making it more difficult for criminals to open new accounts in your name. Credit freezes can be requested by phone or online through the credit bureaus’ websites.
In addition to these measures, cybersecurity professionals advise regularly updating passwords and enabling two-factor authentication on your accounts. Using different login credentials for each service and changing passwords frequently can also provide an added layer of protection against cybercriminals.
Lastly, there are services available that monitor your accounts and the dark web for signs of identity theft. These services can alert you if your personal information is being misused or sold online.
What’s Next?
As the investigation into this massive breach continues, the full extent of the damage remains to be seen. Legal action is already underway, and cybersecurity experts are warning that the fallout from this attack could be severe.
Staying vigilant and taking proactive steps to protect your personal information has never been more important. With sensitive data now circulating among hackers, the risk of identity theft and financial fraud is higher than ever.
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