In a recent and alarming cybersecurity breach, a massive quantity of personal data, including Social Security numbers, was stolen and leaked online. This breach primarily involved National Public Data, a company that collects and stores vast amounts of personal information without requiring direct consent of individuals whose data it holds.
In April 2024, a hacker group known as USDoD allegedly accessed and subsequently sold this data, affecting an estimated 2.9 billion records. These records encompassed a wide range of personal details such as names, dates of birth, addresses, and Social Security numbers. The breach became more notorious when portions of this data were distributed for free on a hacker forum, causing significant public concern and security implications.
This incident underscores the broader vulnerabilities in the handling of personal data by private companies and the dire consequences of their security failures. It highlights the need for robust data protection policies and proactive cybersecurity measures to prevent future occurrences and protect individuals’ privacy.
To help protect yourself from identity theft, consider using a product like ScoreSense that monitors your credit reports for new activity and sends alerts about any reported changes. Additionally, you can review your credit report from each of the 3 bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) in detail. If you find any inaccuracies, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau. ScoreSense has a Dispute Center that can guide you through the process. Additionally, ScoreSense has an add-on product that will search for suspicious activity related to your social security number, credit and debit cards, and the fraudulent use of your credentials on the black market.
You can check to see if your information was included in the breach by accessing this free database. https://npd.pentester.com/ . If compromised, keep a watchful eye on your credit information through ScoreSense.
