Data breaches have become all too common these days. You may have heard about the recent leak involving National Public Data, where billions of records were stolen. This news can be scary, especially if you think your personal information might be at risk.
Understanding the Leak
First, let’s talk about what happened. A hacker group called USDoD got their hands on about 2.9 billion records from National Public Data. This company makes money by selling access to personal data. The stolen information includes things like names, addresses, and even Social Security numbers (SSNs).
Before USDoD could sell this data, another group named Fenice took it and put it out on the dark web for free. This means a lot of personal information is now floating around where it shouldn’t be.
Finding Out If You’re Affected
You’re probably wondering if your information was part of this leak. There’s a website made by a company called Pentester that can help. You’ll need to put in some basic info like your name, birth year, and the states you’ve lived in. If your data was leaked, it’ll show you part of your SSN and address.
Don’t panic if you see your info there. Our lawyers know how to help people in this situation. The first step is knowing what happened, and now you do.
Protecting Your Credit
If your SSN was part of the leak, it’s time to take action to protect your credit. Our lawyers often tell clients to check their credit reports right away. You can get free reports from the big three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. These reports give you a snapshot of your financial health and can show if someone’s trying to use your identity.
Look over these reports carefully. You’re looking for any accounts you don’t recognize, addresses where you’ve never lived, or employers you’ve never worked for. Even small mistakes could be signs of bigger problems. If you see anything odd, report it to the credit bureaus fast. Our lawyers can help you understand what to look for and how to report problems.
We also suggest putting a freeze on your credit. This makes it harder for anyone to open new accounts in your name. You’ll need to contact each credit bureau to do this. It might seem like a hassle, but our lawyers have seen how much trouble it can save down the road. A credit freeze stops new accounts from being opened in your name. It’s like putting a lock on your credit file.
When you freeze your credit, you’ll get a PIN or password. Keep this safe. You’ll need it when you want to "thaw" your credit, like if you’re applying for a loan or a new job. Our lawyers can walk you through the process of freezing and unfreezing your credit when needed.
Some people worry that a credit freeze will hurt their credit score. Our lawyers want you to know that’s not true. A freeze doesn’t change your score at all. It just protects your credit file from being accessed by potential creditors.
Another step our lawyers often suggest is setting up fraud alerts. This is different from a credit freeze. With a fraud alert, businesses have to verify your identity before issuing credit in your name. It’s an extra layer of protection that can catch identity thieves.
Our lawyers have also seen good results from credit monitoring services. These services keep an eye on your credit reports and let you know if anything changes. Some even offer identity theft insurance. While these services often cost money, many of our clients find the peace of mind worth it.
Remember, dealing with credit issues tied to identity theft can be a long process. Our lawyers have helped many clients through this. We know it can feel overwhelming, but taking these steps can save you headaches down the road.
Watching Out for Scams
When your data is out there, scammers might try to trick you. They could send emails or texts pretending to be your bank or other companies you trust. Our lawyers have seen all kinds of tricks, and we can help you spot them.
The main rule is: don’t click on links in emails or texts that ask for personal info. If you’re worried about an account, go directly to the company’s website or call them using a number you know is real.
If You Clicked a Bad Link
Sometimes, people click on links before they realize they shouldn’t. If this happens to you, don’t feel bad – it happens to many folks. Take these steps right away:
- Unplug from the internet
- Save important files to a separate drive
- Run a virus check
- Change all your passwords
- Turn on extra security (like two-factor authentication) for your accounts
- Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card accounts
Dealing with SSN Problems
If someone is using your SSN, our lawyers know how to help with this, too. Here’s what we usually tell clients to do:
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov
- File a police report
- Keep checking your credit reports
- Freeze your credit at all three bureaus
- Look over your Social Security statement
- Talk to the IRS to prevent tax fraud
