2.9 BILLION Personal Records Exposed in Shocking Data Breach – Is Your Identity at Risk?
Billions of personal records are now in the hands of hackers after one of the largest data breaches ever—full names, addresses, and SSNs! 🌐 #News #MiamiFL #Florida #DataLeak
MIAMI, FL – In one of the largest data breaches in history, personal information belonging to 2.9 billion people has been exposed, leaving millions vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. According to Bloomberg, the breach involves sensitive data including full names, addresses, and Social Security Numbers, which were stolen from a public records data provider.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed
The massive data breach was brought to light through a class action lawsuit filed earlier this month in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The complaint targets National Public Data, a company that specializes in background checks and fraud prevention. The lawsuit alleges that the firm’s extensive database, which includes personal information collected over the past three decades, was infiltrated by a cybercriminal group known as USDoD.
Cybercriminals Attempt to Sell Data
The hackers behind the breach attempted to sell the stolen data on the dark web, with a reported asking price of $3.5 million. The compromised information includes a range of personally identifiable details that could be used for various malicious activities.
This breach highlights the dangers of data scraping and the risks associated with companies that collect and store vast amounts of personal data without adequate security measures.
The Risks of Data Scraping
National Public Data allegedly obtained the personal information of nearly 3 billion individuals through a process known as data scraping.
Unlike traditional data collection methods, scraping involves extracting data from websites and other online sources, often without the knowledge or consent of the individuals involved.
The lawsuit claims that much of the data was scraped from non-public sources, making this breach even more concerning.
Plaintiff’s Demands and Security Concerns
One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, a California resident, discovered the breach through an identity theft protection service. The plaintiff is demanding that National Public Data securely dispose of all the personal information obtained through scraping and provide financial compensation to the victims.
Additionally, the lawsuit calls for the implementation of stricter security measures to prevent future breaches.
Protecting Yourself After a Data Breach
With such a vast amount of personal information now in the hands of hackers, the potential for identity theft and other forms of fraud is significant. Individuals affected by this breach should be vigilant in monitoring their financial accounts and be cautious of potential phishing attacks.
National Public Data has yet to release an official statement, but it is expected that the company will issue a data breach notification in the coming days.
Typically, companies responsible for breaches of this magnitude offer free access to identity theft protection or credit monitoring services for a limited time.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Implications
This data breach is one of the largest ever recorded, rivaling the infamous Yahoo! breach of 2013. As the situation continues to unfold, more information is likely to emerge about how the breach occurred and what steps National Public Data will take in response.
The implications of this breach are far-reaching, and it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in the digital age.
As investigations continue, individuals affected by this breach should take proactive steps to protect their personal information. This incident underscores the importance of data security and the potential consequences when companies fail to adequately safeguard sensitive information.
Reminder: All parties are considered innocent before proven guilty.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
