The social security breach has left millions at risk, with sensitive info such as full names, addresses, and social security numbers breached without consent. The class-action complaint filed in Florida sheds light on the severity of this data breach, affecting nearly three billion entries worldwide.
Typically, companies self-report breaches and notify customers through emails, news reports, or state attorney generals’ filings. However, in this case, no notifications were sent to potential victims, leaving many unaware until they discovered it themselves.
Even more interestingly, the National Public Data breach was previously revealed through a dark web post and had a huge impact on social media.
What we know about social security breach so far?
The social security breach centered around NPD has unveiled a disturbing reality.
The company, which collects information from “various public record databases, court records, state and national databases, and other repositories nationwide,” is alleged to have suffered a data breach in or around April 2024.
The exposed data is alarmingly comprehensive, encompassing full names, extensive address histories, social security numbers, familial information, and other sensitive details. The NPD class action lawsuit claims NPD acquired this data through “scraping” non-public sources, raising serious concerns about data privacy and consent.
Here are some of the key details outlined in the lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court:
- Sensitive information exposed: The breach allegedly involved a significant amount of sensitive personal data, including full names, current and past addresses (spanning at least the past 30 years), Social Security numbers, details about relatives (including deceased ones), and other personal information.
- Data scraping practices: The complaint further alleges that NPD obtained this information by “scraping” it from non-public sources, implying a practice of collecting data without the consent of individuals.
- Failure to protect data: The lawsuit claims NPD had a legal responsibility to safeguard this information from unauthorized access.
The manner in which this social security breach came to light is equally concerning. Unlike typical data breach notifications from companies, this incident surfaced through a lawsuit. The absence of official notifications and lack of filings with state attorney generals highlight the challenges individuals face in staying informed about such critical issues. The reliance on identity theft protection services to uncover the breach underscores the need for proactive measures to safeguard personal information.
With the potential for widespread identity theft and financial fraud, the consequences of this exposure from social security breach are far-reaching.
NPD goes silent
Typically, companies are required by law to report data breaches in a timely manner. This means consumers are usually notified through emails, news reports, or alerts from state attorney generals. However, in this case:
- No victim notification: There’s no evidence of NPD notifying potential victims about the breach.
- Missing state filings: No related filings have been found with state attorney generals.
- Discovery through identity theft protection: The primary plaintiff reportedly learned about the breach from an identity theft protection service notifying them of compromised information stemming from the “nationalpublicdata.com” breach. This highlights the importance of using such services to stay informed about potential threats.
Take action now!
In the wake of this massive social security breach, individuals must take proactive steps to protect themselves. While the full extent of the damage remains to be seen, it is imperative to implement robust security measures.
We recommend doing the following immediately if you think that you have been hit by the social security breach:
Credit check, security freeze, and identity theft protection
Regularly monitoring your credit score, report, and accounts can help you spot any unusual activity that might indicate identity theft or fraudulent transactions.
A security freeze, also known as a credit freeze, prevents new credit accounts from being opened in your name by freezing your credit report. This makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts or take out loans in your name. To place a security freeze on your credit reports, contact each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) directly.
Identity theft protection services can help you recover from identity theft by providing expert guidance and assistance with repairing your credit and recovering your stolen personal information. Some plans even offer insurance coverage for losses incurred due to identity theft.
Monitor your identity and transactions
Keep an eye on your personal information, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and IDs, for signs of breaches or fraudulent activity. Monitor transactions on your credit cards, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, and loans to detect any suspicious activity.
Beware of phishing attacks
Social security breaches can be followed by phishing attempts designed to steal additional personal information. Be wary of emails, texts, or messages containing suspicious links or requesting information.
Strong passwords and two-factor authentication
Use strong, unique passwords for every online account, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time passcode to access your account.
Remove personal information from data broker sites
The lawsuit raises concerns about NPD potentially harvesting data from data broker websites. Consider removing your information from such sites to limit future exposure in case of breaches.
By actively protecting your information and remaining vigilant, you can mitigate the risks associated with social security breaches. Remember, it’s crucial to stay informed and take proactive steps to safeguard your personal data.
Featured image credit: Freepik
