Best Cybersecurity For Financial Institutions
In today’s digital age, personal information is more vulnerable than ever before. With the rise of data breaches and cybercrime, it’s no surprise that Social Security numbers (SSNs) are being sold on the dark web. But what exactly is the dark web, and how can you protect yourself from having your SSN stolen and used for fraudulent purposes?
- Because of its anonymity, the dark web is frequently used by a wide variety of criminals, including cybercriminals, hackers, terrorists, and drug dealers.
- If you receive an alert from CreditWise, you can choose the “Additional Info” option to see just what information may have been accessed.
- It’s crucial to set up a fraud alert with the credit bureaus to flag any suspicious activity.
- The best plans also guarantee expert US-based help 24/7 in case your identity is stolen.
- Even if you only find your email account on the Dark Web, there’s a good chance that other information has made its way there, too.
What is the Dark Web?
WHY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ISN’T AS VALUABLE AS YOUR LOGIN CREDENTIALS
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through traditional web browsers. It requires special software, such as the Tor browser, to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen personal information, including SSNs.
What can I buy with my SSN?
In addition to Social Security, the SSN is now also used for a wide range of purposes. These include obtaining credit, opening a bank account, obtaining government benefits or private insurance, and buying a home or a car, among many other pursuits.
How are SSNs Stolen?
Contact Any Company That Used Your Social Security Number
SSNs can be stolen in a variety of ways, including data breaches, phishing scams, and malware attacks. Once a criminal has obtained your SSN, they can use it to open credit card accounts, take out loans, and file tax returns in your name. This can result in significant financial damage and damage to your credit score.
Who should you not give your Social Security number to?
That's right. Most of the time, it's OK to say no to schools, doctor's offices, sports clubs and many other organizations that may ask for this nine-digit identifier. In fact, safeguarding SSNs is a key first step to protecting against identity theft and other fraud.
How to Protect Your SSN
Learn More About Digital Privacy
There are several steps you can take to protect your SSN from being stolen and sold on the dark web:
One dark web monitoring tool is BreachWatch®, which works with Keeper Password Manager. Read on to learn more about dark web monitoring and how it can help protect you from having your accounts compromised and your identity stolen. Even if they may not be able to really do anything about it, children are not immune to identity theft. A data broker on several dark web marketplaces is currently advertising stolen personal information relating specifically to children, according to a researcher and online posts reviewed by Motherboard. You’ll get a free alert when we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites. Not all stolen information from a data breach ends up on these Dark Web sites.
- Never share your SSN unless it is necessary and you are sure the recipient is trustworthy.
- Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
- Consider placing a freeze on your credit reports to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
- Keep your computer and mobile devices updated with the latest security software.
- Be cautious of phishing scams and never click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
My I pad had an alert to call a number,that I had a virus on it they said. It was a scam they told me someone had taken it out of my account and I had to buy gift cards to get it back. I received a message about an unknown account in my name on the dark web from one of the credit bureaus. We don’t edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above.
I spoke to Social Security, already had an SSA.gov account and they placed a lock on it. I wanted an extra layer of security and tried adding a credit card but the fraud alert had already been placed and even the Social Security rep couldn’t access my account. I already had a Checksystems lock, because of the Equifax breach in 2017, but I didn’t even think of Lexus Nexus. My next stop will be to the police station, I am overwhelmed by all of this, taking this one day at a time. Close your accounts immediately if your banking information is compromised. Your bank or credit card issuer will help you shut down your accounts and open new ones.
It uses 256-bit AES encryption to safeguard your sensitive information online. Changing your passwords is the first and last line of defense against cybercriminals. If you think your data has been compromised, update all your passwords on online platforms with complex, unique, and long passwords and enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication wherever possible. Every American is entitled to view their credit reports from each of the three main agencies annually. This means that you can view one of your credit reports for free every four months.
What to Do if Your SSN is Sold on the Dark Web
For example, your bank will almost certainly never ask you to email them your account information and will never ask you to share passwords or a one-time passcode. Typically, if your credit card number gets stolen, the issuing company will offer fraud protection. This means you’re not responsible for the charges someone else makes. The card is canceled and you’re issued a new one—an inconvenience for sure, but not severely damaging.
If you suspect that your SSN has been sold on the dark web, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and place a fraud alert on your credit reports. You should also consider filing a police report and contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the identity theft.
In conclusion,
Can I change my SSN?
The Social Security Administration does allow you to change your number, but only under limited circumstances, such as identity theft or if your safety is in danger. You will also need to supply appropriate documentation to support your application for a new number.
