You have the option to renew the alert after the one-year period ends. If your lost card ends up in the hands of scammers or cybercriminals, they gain access to your Social Security number and can cause significant damage. Did you know that 1 in 50 children are affected by child identity fraud?
In today’s digital age, our personal information is more vulnerable than ever before. One piece of information that is particularly valuable to cyber criminals is your social security number. With the rise of the dark web, it has become easier for hackers to buy and sell this sensitive information. Here are some tips to protect your social security number from falling into the wrong hands on the dark web.
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What is the Dark Web?
- Everyone should get their free yearly credit reports at Annualcreditreport.com and check them for unrecognized accounts.
- Report any unauthorized accounts, and ask the credit bureaus to remove fraudulent items from your credit report.
- Some services even assist with resolving issues related to identity fraud.
- We search the dark web for your personal information and notify you of potential threats.
- Scamming techniques have become increasingly sophisticated, with scammers often masquerading as reliable institutions like banks or government agencies such as the IRS.
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The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. It is often used for illegal activities, such as buying and selling stolen data, including social security numbers.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of these steps and ways to protect yourself in the future. Your information could show up on the dark web for all sorts of reasons, many of them prior and unrelated to the Accellion breach. Experian provides information in each notification about the context of when your information was found, including a “Found On” date. Even if your SSN is on the dark web, it doesn’t mean those details are being used. However, if you find they are, you should report it as fraud to the Social Security Administration. See if your address, email and more are exposed on people finder sites.
Can You Remove Your SSN (and Other Info) From The Dark Web?
How can my Social Security Number end up on the Dark Web?
There are several ways in which your social security number can end up on the dark web:
- Data breaches: When companies are hacked, sensitive information, such as social security numbers, can be exposed.
- Phishing scams: Cyber criminals may trick you into providing your social security number through fake emails or websites.
- Identity theft: If your identity is stolen, your social security number may be sold on the dark web.
You should take any unexpected change seriously, even if it doesn’t trigger an automated fraud alert. In response to the UC Accellion Data Breach, many of you signed up for the Experian IndentityWorks credit monitoring service. As a result, you might have received notifications from Experian that your information (social security number, credit card numbers, email address, etc.) was found on the dark web.
How to Protect Your Social Security Number
- Monitor your credit: Regularly check your credit report for any suspicious activity.
- Use strong passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for all your online accounts.
- Avoid sharing your SSN: Be cautious about who you share your social security number with.
- Enable two-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Consider freezing your credit: This can prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
If you spot anything unusual on your credit reports, bank accounts, or credit card accounts, contact the bank, financial institution, or lender connected to these accounts. As of 2020, there are over 18.7 billion records and 15 billion username and password credentials to online digital services, including bank and social media accounts, circulating on the Dark Web for sale. Purchases for this data and other illegal items are made using Bitcoins, and in November of 2020, the U.S. government seized upwards of $1 billion worth of bitcoin linked to the Dark Web. Few places require your child’s Social Security number, but their school, health insurance provider, and doctor’s office all have forms where it is requested regularly.
Scanners can tell you whether your credit card details, SSN, or passwords have been leaked or stolen. This step restricts access to your credit file, stopping lenders from extending credit to scammers who may be using your identity. However, credit locks, which allow you to instantly lock and unlock your credit file, are usually paid services. Armed with your Social Security number, criminals can take out loans or open credit card accounts in your name. They might access your online bank or credit card accounts, using your funds to buy electronics, expensive restaurant meals, hotel stays, and whatever else they desire. Criminals are getting more sophisticated and ingenious in their methods of attack which is evident in the meteoric rise in cyber attacks.
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Conclusion
Your social security number is a valuable piece of information that should be protected at all costs. By taking preventive measures and staying vigilant, you can reduce the risk of your SSN ending up on the dark web. Remember, prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of identity theft.
