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). These organizations can provide guidance on what to do next, and your report may contribute to future investigations of fraudulent activity.
Change Your Passwords And Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Your Social Security Number is a key to many aspects of your life—financial, medical, and personal. The discovery of your SSN on the Dark Web can be alarming and can open the door to various forms of identity theft and fraud. In recent times, data breaches have become more common, leaking sensitive information like SSNs onto parts of the internet where criminals can easily access and misuse them. For instance, residents in Oakland found their SSNs exposed following a city-wide data breach, underscoring the reality and closeness of this threat. However, if your data has been stolen in a data breach – which are common these days — your SSN has likely been posted onto 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.
In extreme cases, you may consider requesting a new SSN from the Social Security Administration. However, this is a difficult process, and a new SSN won’t necessarily solve all the problems related to identity theft. It warns that by searching on its tool, you agree to its terms of service and its privacy policy. The suits claim as many as 2.9 billion people — that’s right, billion with a “B” — may have been affected, while other officials have said the number is in the millions. While the exact number is unclear, what we do know is that we should all take steps to protect ourselves.
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Any unusual activity such as that we described above is a strong indication that your SSN has likely been exposed and is circulating on the dark web. You’ll want to secure all of your online accounts by setting new, unique passwords for each one. It should also include upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special symbols.
- Discovering your Social Security Number (SSN) on the dark web can be alarming, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes.
- If you have to provide your number over the phone, make sure you’re far away from other people who could hear it.
- It can be the improper disposal of personally identifiable information in the trash or a sophisticated cyber-attack on corporate computers by criminals.
- Companies typically send letters or notifications to their customers whose Personally Identifiable Information (PII) was exposed during a data breach.
- Some financial companies, such as Credit Karma, can also help you freeze your credit.
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Your rights and protections can depend on how the fraudsters get into your accounts and what they steal. Some organizations might reimburse you, but you won’t always have legal recourse if they don’t. You generally aren’t liable for unauthorized credit or debit purchases, but you may need to act quickly and call the financial institution to dispute the transactions. If you notice a new account was opened in your name, the company can also help you close the account. However, mobile phone carriers now offer extra security measures that can help protect you from SIM swapping attacks.
How Is An SSN Obtained On The Dark Web?
This documentation can be useful in the event of disputes or if you need to provide evidence of fraudulent activity. By staying vigilant and monitoring your credit reports, you can proactively protect yourself and take action promptly if any unauthorized activities are detected. Here are steps you can take to see if your information was stolen and then what to do if your Social Security number and other personal data were leaked in the massive data hack. For more information, here are the best identity theft protection services and how to freeze your credit. For more on Social Security, here’s when to expect your Social Security check to arrive this month and four ways you can lose your Social Security benefits. It restricts access to your credit report, making it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
If fraudsters are using your stolen SSN, it will most likely show up on your credit reports and bank or credit card statements. If your SSN has been leaked, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your financial accounts. Whether you freeze or lock your credit, it’s also a good idea to place fraud alerts on your credit reports with the major credit bureaus. This will add another layer of security as creditors will have to take extra steps to verify it’s really you before extending any credit.
Strengthen Your Online Security
As alarming as these scenarios may seem, they are signs of a surprisingly common crime — identity theft. Discovering that your Social Security number is on the dark web is a frightening experience, but taking immediate action can help minimize the risks. By staying vigilant, taking protective measures, and seeking professional assistance if necessary, you can safeguard your identity and financial well-being. If you suspect that your SSN has been used fraudulently, report the identity theft to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov. This government site will guide you through creating a recovery plan and provide resources to help mitigate the damage.
Add A Fraud Alert
It’s unlikely that criminals will care to remove one data point from a single user request – even if you were able to find a way to contact them. 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. Otherwise, you may be held liable for all criminal activity that took place with your Social Security number in use. Ramifications range from debt collections and financial fines to arrest warrants and criminal records in connection to the person whose personal information was misused.
Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more. Here’s a breakdown of what your personal details might go for on underground marketplaces, according to the Dark Web Price Index by Privacy Affairs. Now that we understand the gravity of the situation, let’s explore the steps you should take to protect yourself.
Join LifeLock Standard to monitor the dark web for your SSN and get alerts of potential fraud. Being proactive is one of the best ways to protect your child’s personal information and identity. Here a few things you can do to help secure your family’s personal information. An FTC report won’t clear any issues on its own, but it can be an important resource when working to resolve any issues with creditors or the credit bureaus later on. For example, they might be able to figure out who your family members are and where you have accounts.
These services can provide extra protection and peace of mind when dealing with potential identity theft risks. Social Security numbers are highly valuable because they are tied to individuals and used by institutions that access and handle sensitive personal information. As such, companies handling SSN-related information are frequently targeted by cybercriminals. The stolen data is then used as ransom or sold to the highest bidder on the dark web — the unindexed part of the internet where unlawful activity thrives. Most creditors will send you an alert when a purchase has been made or a payment is due. These notifications can help you keep track of your credit card transactions at all times.
- Additional detailed information is available and the video recording of a recent town hall.
- After the 2017 Equifax breach affecting more than 147 million consumers, for example, people reported receiving lawsuit payouts in late 2022 of less than $3 in some cases, while other said they got around $40.
- You can create a myEquifax account to place a fraud alert and security freeze on your Equifax credit report.
- Before you panic, there are a few steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your identity.
If you want to make a new application, you may need to temporarily unfreeze your credit to allow creditors to access your credit report and review your eligibility. An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number that stops someone from filing a tax return with your SSN. The only people who know your IP PIN are you and the IRS, which even prevents a cybercriminal who has your SSN from using it to commit tax fraud.
As a precaution, you should contact your provider and ask them to “lock” your SIM with a custom PIN. Once you’ve locked your account, scammers can’t use your mobile data or make phone calls without your four-digit code. It’s especially important to complete fraud and police reports if you are going to dispute fraudulent charges; otherwise, there’s no proof of your being a victim.
It will not prevent you from using your active credit,” Annie Mitchell, CEO of the BBB of Eastern Oklahoma, told Fox 23 News. The Better Business Bureau (BBB), the go-to organization for consumers to resolve complaints against businesses, also provided its own set instructions, which align with the SSA’s recommendations. The BBB, like the SSA, suggested monitoring your bank and credit card accounts for odd activities and purchases. In an early August Bloomberg Law report, it was discovered that ultra-sensitive and personal information of nearly three billion people was leaked in an April 2024 data breach.
