In today’s digital age, identity theft has become a significant concern for many individuals. One of the most sensitive pieces of personal information that can be used for identity theft is a social security number (SSN). Unfortunately, SSNs are often sold on the dark web, putting millions of Americans at risk.
How To Prevent Identity Theft
What is the Dark Web?
- But with the information on the dark web, scammers have the opportunity to get into bank accounts, impact your credit score by opening false lines of credit and more.
- On some dark web forums, cybercriminals can take classes on how to steal credit card data.
- In this brief tour of black markets and hacking forums hosted in the Deep Web, we found that the offer for personal information and online service accounts is very articulate.
- The dark web’s privacy and anonymity means it serves as a venue for people who want to stay hidden, whether that’s for innocuous reasons, or because they’re involved in crime—including identity theft.
By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can minimize the potential damage and protect yourself from further harm. Similar to Discover’s program, Capital One will monitor the dark web for your SSN. Evan graduated from SUNY Oswego with a degree in journalism and creative writing. In his professional writing career, he strives for precision and comprehension in his work.
Revolutionizing America’s Digital Infrastructure For Global Competitiveness
The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through traditional web browsers. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of personal information, drugs, weapons, and other illicit goods.
How is a Social Security Number Obtained?
Other Security Alerts
They’ll assist you in setting up a recovery plan, or even assign you a new number if someone continues to use your SSN. Here are several steps you should take if your information finds its way onto the dark web. Getting one of these Social Security number notifications can be a sign that fraud might occur on your accounts, but it’s up to you to act. And that doesn’t mean channeling Nancy Drew and going after the bad guys yourself.
There are several ways that a social security number can end up on the dark web. One common method is through data breaches, where hackers gain unauthorized access to a company’s database containing sensitive information. Another way is through phishing scams, where individuals are tricked into providing their personal information, including their SSN, through fraudulent emails or websites.
Millions Of People Have Had Their Info Stolen, And Some Might Not Even Know It
Emphasize: It is essential to be vigilant and protect your personal information to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
What does locking your SSN mean?
Self Lock helps protect you from employment-related identity fraud. Self Lock is the unique feature that lets you protect your identity in E-Verify and Self Check by placing a "lock" in E-Verify on your Social Security number (SSN). This helps prevent anyone else from using your SSN for an E-Verify case.
What Can You Do if Your Social Security Number is on the Dark Web?
Then, for added security, enable 2FA on every account that allows it — especially your online bank, email, and social media accounts. This step restricts access to your credit file, stopping lenders from extending credit to scammers who may be using your identity. However, credit locks, which allow you to instantly lock and unlock your credit file, are usually paid services. All a thief needs to file a fraudulent return is your name, birthdate, and Social Security Number. If you’re a victim of tax identity theft, it can take several months to even years to get your refund. Reporting your stolen Social Security card to the IRS can prevent scammers from filing a tax return in your name.
If you suspect that your social security number is on the dark web, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:
Scores of tutorials on “How to Make your Own CPN” can be purchased and they all direct would be fraudsters and scammers to this site – SSN Decoder. Fraud involves obtaining something of value through willful misrepresentation. In the context of our programs, fraud exists when a person fails to disclose a material fact for use in getting benefits and payments. Information is “material” when it could influence our determination on entitlement or eligibility to benefits under the Social Security Act.
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Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
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Order a copy of your credit reports and review them for any suspicious activity.
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Consider placing a credit freeze on your credit reports to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
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Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local law enforcement agency.
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Consider filing your taxes early to prevent a tax identity thief from filing a fraudulent tax return in your name.
Total fraud and identity theft cases have nearly tripled over the last decade, according to the nonprofit National Council on Identity Theft Protection, rising to more than 1.4 million a year by 2022. Freezing your credit reports with all three major credit bureaus―Experian, TransUnion and Equifax―can help keep someone else from opening an account in your name. Once your reports are frozen, creditors can’t access your credit report to make new lending decisions. However, your report can still be accessed for other reasons, such as if your current creditor wants to review your report or if you want to check your credit. The dark web is a network of websites where people can share information anonymously.
Conclusion
The dark web can be a dangerous place, and the sale of social security numbers is a significant concern. It is essential to protect your personal information and be vigilant for any signs of identity theft. If you suspect that your social security number is on the dark web, take immediate action to protect yourself and your finances.
Should I be worried if my email is on the dark web?
If your email address is circulating on the Dark Web, it's almost certainly due to a data breach. The problem is that the average internet user doesn't use the Dark Web — and therefore doesn't know if their data is compromised.
