About three billion people’s personal information was stolen in a data breach at National Public Data. Names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and other personal information were taken and sold by the hacker group USDoD.
Due to the vulnerability of billions of Social Security numbers to a huge data breach, Americans are more vulnerable to identity theft. According to The Los Angeles Times, a hack at Florida-based National Public Data resulted in the theft of private data belonging to around three billion people, which was then offered for sale on the dark web.
The hacker collective known as USDOD took credit for the intrusion, claiming to have obtained records including complete names, residences, dates of birth, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers. This data, which is being sold for $3.5 million, was purportedly taken in April and is utilized by businesses and private investigators for background checks. If someone gets their Social Security number stolen, there is a serious risk of identity theft. These details can be used by thieves to gain unauthorized access to bank accounts. In 2024, fraudsters will be able to take advantage of organizations and consumers using new AI-powered tools, according to Blair Cohen, the founder and president of AuthenticID. Businesses and consumers alike face a serious problem in the form of fraudsters’ ability to produce new, generative Al-powered tools.
Even though it’s impossible to know for sure whether your Social Security number was taken precisely, there are proactive measures that Americans can take to lessen their risk. Credit file freezes at the three major credit agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) can stop identity thieves from applying for credit cards or taking out loans in your name. Services that prevent identity theft, like Identity Guard and LifeLock, are frequently free of charge and provide notifications for possible breaches. The CEO of IT Companies Network, Joseph Harisson, stressed the value of being vigilant, telling people to keep an eye out for odd messages, check their credit reports, take advantage of fraud alerts, and change their passwords on a regular basis.
For both personal and bank accounts, implementing two-factor authentication and using strong, regularly changing passwords can help strengthen account security and ward off unwanted access. Monitoring credit card and bank accounts on a regular basis can assist in quickly identifying questionable activity.
Applying for a personal recovery plan on the IdentityTheft.gov website of the Federal Trade Commission is advised if you believe that your personal information has already been compromised. Furthermore, by reporting the possible theft to the Internal Revenue Service, you can stop thieves from using your identity to file tax returns and get your refund. Online complaints can also be submitted by individuals through the Internet Complaint Center.
The director of consulting solutions for TrustedSec, Alex Hamerstone, emphasized the importance of having strong IT systems that don’t just rely on employee credentials. “Multifactor authentication is absolutely vital, especially at a time when ransomware attacks are hitting companies left and right,” Hamerstone stated. “This should always be used.”
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