National Public Data Breach: How to Protect Your Citizen Service Number

A large-scale breach of National Public Data’s servers in December 2023 could result in the theft of a reported 2.9 billion records with Social Security numbers, names, and other personal information. There may not be much you can do about the actual hack, but you can see if your Social Security number has been compromised and take steps to protect your information.

According to a statement from National public data — whose data is used by private investigators, public consumer registration sites, staffing and employment agencies — “a third party malicious party” hacked the data and leaked the stolen information onto the dark web. National Public Data obtained the information by scraping non-public sources without permission, according to a proposed class action lawsuit.

Here are steps you can take to protect your Social Security number if you’re worried that your personal information was 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 this month and 4 ways you could lose your Social Security benefits.

How was my personal data stolen in the National Public Data Protection Authority data breach?

According to a statement from National Public Data“The incident is believed to have involved a malicious third party attempting to compromise data in late December 2023, with potential leaks of some data in April 2024 and summer 2024.”

The theft — reportedly by a cybercriminal group called USDoD – could be as large as nearly 3 billion people’s personal records and could include your name, email address, phone number, social security number, and mailing address.

What is National Public Data doing about data theft?

In a statement about the security breach, the company said it is cooperating with law enforcement and government investigators and is conducting a review of the potentially affected data. For those whose data was compromised, the company said it “will attempt to notify you if there are any further significant developments that apply to you” and advises you to closely monitor your financial accounts for unauthorized activity.

How do I know if my citizen service number has been leaked?

While you can’t stop the theft, you can review your credit reports and accounts to see if your Social Security number and other personal information is being used.

Check if your stolen data has been leaked: To get started, check out a free site like Have I been hacked? to see if your email address has been leaked as part of a data breach.

Keep an eye on your credit reports: To detect identity fraud, Request one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian And TransUnion — and watch for unfamiliar activity, such as a new account you didn’t open. Monitor your credit card and bank statements for unexpected charges and payments.

Sign up for a credit monitoring service. A credit monitoring service can constantly monitor your credit report with the major credit bureaus and alert you when unusual activity is detected. With a monitoring service, you can set up fraud alerts that will warn you if someone tries to use your identity to create credit, including someone trying to use your Social Security number. Here are the best identity theft protection services.

I think my Social Security number has been stolen. What should I do?

First, if you think your Social Security number has been stolen, know that there’s not much the Social Security Administration can do on its own if someone uses your stolen information to, say, open a line of credit or get a job. Here’s what you can do.

Go to the Federal Trade Commission IdentityTheft.gov and fill out a form to receive a personalized recovery plan. This plan will guide you through everything you need to know about protecting yourself from fraud and recovering your identity. You can also call 877-438-4337.

Contact the Internal Revenue Service if your Social Security number has been stolen to prevent the thief from using your number to file a tax return and get your tax refund or to prevent them from using your number to get a job. If a thief uses your Social Security number to get a job, taxes owed could appear on your record. Visit the IRS’s Identity Theft Central to dispute these claims, get help, and resolve any issues.

File a complaint online with the Complaints Center for Internet Crimethat monitors cybercrime complaints to combat internet crime. It is also advisable to check your credit report every now and then to detect suspicious behavior as it happens. Visit www.jaarlijkscreditreport.com to get a free credit report.

Contact the Social Security Administration If you think your Social Security Number has been compromised, the administration can help you check your statements.

Do I need a new citizen service number?

If you have completed all the steps recommended by the Social Security Administration and your Social Security number is no longer being used by anyone other than you, you do not need to apply for a new SSN. If you have completed all the necessary steps and still find that your number is being used, you can request a new one.

But the administration doesn’t make it easy to get a new SSN. You need proof that your number is still being used by someone other than you. The administration said If you have lost your card or think someone has stolen your number, but you have no proof that someone else has used your card, you cannot receive a new card.

What can I do in the future to prevent identity fraud?

Sometimes, like with the National Public Data breach, there is little you can do to keep your information safe. But you can take steps to reduce your risk.

Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Instead, keep it in a safe place in your home. Try to memorize your number so you don’t have to pull out your card every time you fill out a document that requires it. If you have to give your number over the phone, make sure you’re far away from other people who might hear you.

Employers and landlords often ask for documents to be sent electronically via email. If you need to provide your social security number or other personal documents via email, try encrypting the document with a password or providing your number separately in a phone call.

Your employer will need your Social Security number to conduct a background check. But you should be skeptical of any job posting that requires you to enter personal information at the beginning of an application. Unless you’re starting a new position and have an offer in hand, you shouldn’t give your Social Security number to a recruiter.

Finally, check your bank and credit statements regularly to address any issues as soon as possible. Enable two-factor authentication on your passwords to protect your private information on websites and apps. And check the source of your notifications, whether they’re phone calls or emails. The Social Security Administration said in general, it will only call you if you have requested a callIf you think you have received a scam call or email, do not give the person any personal information.

What other ways could my personal information be stolen?

Theft happens everywhere and at all times. People steal wallets and purses or search through the mail looking for personal bank or credit card information. The Social Security Administration warns that people who rummage through trash outside homes or businesses looking for important information is another way to commit identity theft, along with people who buy personal information from insider sources. There is also the risk of receiving phone calls, texts or emails from seemingly official sources who are actually fraudsters trying to trick you into divulging information.

If CNET’s Bree Fowler explainedCyberattacks occur when hackers use online accounts with username and password combinations that have often been stolen in previous data breaches to break into as many accounts as possible. This strategy is reason enough to protect your passwords and use passwords whenever possible.