Every American’s Social Security number, address may have been stolen in hack

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Every American's Social Security number, address may have been stolen in hack

Massive Data Breach Exposes Millions of Americans’ Social Security Numbers and Addresses

A recent cyberattack has potentially compromised the personal information of millions of Americans, including their Social Security numbers and addresses. A hacking group known as USDoD claims to have stolen 2.7 billion records from a data broker, subsequently offering the stolen data for sale on an online forum. FOX 5’s Josh Rosenthal provides further details.

The Incident

The USDoD hacking group reportedly infiltrated National Public Data, a platform that provides personal information to employers, private investigators, staffing agencies, and others conducting background checks. The stolen data, which includes sensitive information for individuals in the U.S., UK, and Canada, was initially offered for sale at $3.5 million. However, portions of the data have since been leaked by various entities.

Who is Affected?

The breach allegedly affects nearly every American, with the stolen records including Social Security numbers and physical addresses. While previous leaks involved phone numbers and email addresses, the latest release reportedly focuses on more sensitive personal data.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

In light of this breach, it is crucial for individuals to take proactive steps to safeguard their personal information:

1. Monitor Your Credit Reports: Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity and notify credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) immediately if you detect any unauthorized transactions.

2. Place a Credit Freeze: Contact the credit bureaus to freeze your credit accounts, which can prevent unauthorized individuals from opening new accounts or obtaining loans in your name.

3. Use Identity Theft Protection Services: Consider enrolling in services that monitor your accounts and the dark web for signs of identity theft.

4. Manage Your Passwords: Implement strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Regularly update your passwords to enhance security.

Source:

For more information, visit [FOX 5 DC](https://www.fox5dc.com/news/americans-social-security-number-address-possibly-stolen).