Since banks don’t always run a credit check when you open a new bank account, someone could still open a checking or savings account in your name. When filing your taxes, you may have noticed a checkbox asking if you or your spouse received an identity theft pin. However, it is crucial to be aware that identity thieves who gain employment using your name could file a tax return on your behalf and prevent you from filing your taxes on time.
- Fraudsters often use stolen SSNs to claim refunds before the rightful owner files their return.
- Someone with your SSN may access other sensitive information or commit various forms of fraud that affect your finances, Social Security, healthcare, or legal situation.
- Your Social Security Number is a key to many aspects of your life—financial, medical, and personal.
- You will also want to let your credit card companies know your identify has been compromised.
- If you notice any fraudulent charges, report and dispute them immediately.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers a centralized resource at IdentityTheft.gov to file an identity theft report.
Check Your Credit Reports And Bank Statements
In some cases, your bank may recommend additional cybersecurity measures, such as setting up transaction limits or requiring approval for large purchases. A reliable way to pinpoint the information that could have caused your score to drop is reviewing your credit report. You can request free credit reports online weekly from the three main credit reporting bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — using AnnualCreditReport.com. In the wake of several high-profile data breaches in 2024 — including one of the largest to date — Americans have once again turned their attention to the dark web. Stolen data often ends up for sale on this secret section of the internet, where the total amount of money made by markets and fraud shops amounted to $1.7 billion in 2023.
The Impact Of The SSN Exposure
- If you suspect your social security number has been stolen, you need to take action immediately.
- There are some giveaways that your personal information may be available to identity thieves.
- Sometimes, websites offering dark web monitoring services may mistakenly flag your information.
- If you have trouble remembering multiple passwords, consider downloading a password manager.
- It’s almost impossible to remove your SSN, or any other personal information, from the dark web.
When an SSN is leaked on the dark web, it opens the door to identity theft, financial fraud, and numerous other security threats. This guide aims to provide clear steps on what to do if your SSN is compromised and includes practical advice and prevention techniques to secure your personal information against cyber threats. Imagine receiving a notification from Lifelock or your credit card company informing you that your social security number has been discovered on the dark web.
Credit Locks
Educating yourself on cyber security best practices is vital for maintaining a strong defense against potential threats. By staying up to date with the latest trends, securing your online accounts, and practicing safe browsing habits, you can greatly reduce the risk of falling victim to cybercrimes. By reporting the incident to the authorities, you contribute to the collective effort in combating cybercrime and protect yourself from potential identity theft.
Step 12: Check Your Social Security Statement
Still, experts say news of the breach is a great reminder to take steps to protect your personal information. The Social Security Administration also provides online access to your earnings and benefits history through its my Social Security account. To safeguard your Social Security number, use the government’s free Self Lock feature. Even if the person who stole your SSN and listed it on the dark web hasn’t already used it to steal your identity, anyone who buys or discovers it can. Someone with your SSN may access other sensitive information or commit various forms of fraud that affect your finances, Social Security, healthcare, or legal situation. You can also report the theft to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Sign Up For A Credit Monitoring Service
You may need to complete IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit, to officially report the incident. Note that if you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you’ll need to create a Login.gov account or use an ID.me account. Social Security AdministrationOur mission is to deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the public. Now that we understand the gravity of the situation, let’s explore the steps you should take to protect yourself. Before delving into the action steps, it’s important to understand the dark web and why finding your SSN there is cause for concern.
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Earlier this month, a hacker leaked a version of the stolen NPD data for free on a hacking forum, tech site Bleeping Computer reported. USA HERALD – If you’ve received news that your Social Security number (SSN) has made it to the Dark Web, you’re not alone, and you’re not helpless. Criminals today are exploiting SSNs for everything from opening credit cards to stealing tax refunds. As a legal analyst and journalist with a deep interest in protecting consumers, I can tell you—this is serious business.
You should also add an extra layer of protection to your accounts by enabling 2FA wherever possible. While you’re at it, we recommend you use a reliable password manager like NordPass to securely store all your new passwords. To prevent fraudsters from using your SSN to gain employment, you can self-lock your SSN. You can do this by going to the SSA website and either creating a new account or logging in to an existing account with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once you file the reports, keep them safe for when you may need them in the future. This will prevent anyone, yourself included, from accessing or making any changes to your Social Security record.
Although they purport to do the same thing, a credit lock is not the same as a freeze. A credit freeze is a regulated service guaranteed by federal law, while a lock comes with no protections requiring it to work as advertised. Contact each of the three credit bureaus and request a freeze on your credit.
Step 5: Monitor Your Credit Reports And Financial Statements
After applying for an IP PIN and completing the verification process, you will receive an IP PIN. Every year, you will receive a new IP PIN to ensure the utmost protection of your SSN and taxes. It’s less common for your credit card or government ID info to be openly published on the dark web, he said. If your driver’s license was stolen, that information probably won’t be openly available on the dark web, for your run-of-the-mill identity thief to see. The Work Number is an organization that may have access to your prior employment history. Many lenders use The Work Number to verify your employment and compensation history when you apply for credit.
Financial Fraud
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. The best chance to remove your SSN from the dark web is to get law enforcement involved, such as the FBI or the FTC, but even that is not a guaranteed solution. If your Social Security number has been breached, it opens the gateway to accessing other personal information related to you. Your phone number, email address, place of residence, credit and debit card information — anything is (un)fair play. However, navigating the dark web requires some technical knowledge and software like the Tor browser.
Once they take control of your number, they can have your text message MFA codes sent to a phone they control. The potential for porting and SIM swapping is why SMS-based MFA can be less secure than other options. Using MFA can help keep others out of your account even if your username and password are leaked on the dark web—or elsewhere. “You have varying levels of companies’ ability to protect the data that they’re collecting, and they may not fall under any regulation to do so because it’s like public data to begin with,” Steinhauer said.
