Massive Data Breach Exposes Billions of Americans’ Social Security Numbers
August 24, 2024 – In what may be one of the most significant data breaches in recent history, billions of Americans have had their most sensitive personal information compromised following a cyberattack on National Public Data (NPD). The company, which maintains extensive population databases, acknowledged the breach on its website, confirming that cybercriminals gained access to data dating back three decades, including Social Security numbers, which are now circulating on the dark web. The incident, occurring in April 2024 and the summer of 2024, has raised substantial public concerns.
The breach was only acknowledged by NPD last week, leaving millions of people scrambling to protect themselves from potential identity theft and financial fraud. Pentester, a cybersecurity firm, has launched a tool that allows individuals to check if their data was involved in the breach. By visiting npd.pentester.com and entering their first and last name, along with their birth year, people can see if their Social Security numbers were among the ones compromised.
“This is a nightmare scenario for anyone concerned about the safety of their personal information,” said cybersecurity expert Alex Simmons. “Social Security numbers are the keys to identity, and having them exposed on the black market puts billions of Americans at risk of financial ruin.”
In response to the breach, NPD is advising affected individuals to take several steps to protect their identity and finances:
- Monitor financial accounts closely: Regularly review bank and credit card statements to detect any unauthorized activity. Many Americans do not closely scrutinize their financial records, making it easier for fraudulent charges to go unnoticed.
- Enroll in credit monitoring services: Sign up for credit monitoring with one or more of the major credit bureaus, including Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This will provide alerts for any new accounts or changes to existing accounts, allowing you to quickly address potential identity theft.
- Consider a credit freeze: Placing a credit freeze on your credit file is one of the most effective ways to prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. This measure blocks creditors from accessing your credit report, making it much harder for criminals to open new credit accounts.
- Regularly review credit reports: Obtain and review your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) on a regular basis. This will help you identify any suspicious activity and address any errors or fraudulent accounts.
- Be vigilant for signs of identity theft: Keep an eye out for any unusual activity, such as unexpected bills, collection calls, or notices of new accounts you didn’t open. Report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities immediately. In the event of suspected identity theft or detection of fraudulent charges, National Public Data urges individuals to promptly report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission via their dedicated portal at identitytheft.gov.
While there is no way to undo the damage caused by this massive data breach, these steps can help mitigate the risks and protect billions of Americans from the devastating consequences of identity theft and financial fraud.
