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SPOTLIGHT

Public data breach: what you can do to stay safe

Social Security numbers, addresses, family member names and other information exposed on the dark web

National Public Data (NPD), a background check company, recently confirmed a significant breach of personal data. 

The breach, involving a third-party hacker, occurred in late December 2023, with data leaks reported in April and summer 2024. The breach exposed approximately 2.7 billion records, including Social Security numbers, emails, phone numbers, addresses and dates of birth.

Concerned your data might be part of the breach? Visit npd.pentester.com to check if your information was compromised.

For those affected, NPD advises monitoring financial accounts, setting up credit monitoring, and placing a fraud alert with a credit reporting agency.

Placing a fraud alert with one of the three major credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion – is free, lasts one year and notifies creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before extending credit.

Here are additional steps you can take to protect yourself:

  • Monitor accounts: Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions
  • Beware of phishing scams: Be cautious of suspicious emails or calls after a data breach. Learn more here.
  • Use strong, unique passwords: Ensure your passwords are complex and different across accounts. Learn more here.  
  • Enable multi-factor authentication: Add extra security to your accounts. Learn more here.
  • Keep software updated: Regularly update your devices to protect against vulnerabilities. Learn more here.

What to do if your identity has been stolen:

  • Report the theft: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov to report the theft and create a recovery plan.
  • Freeze your credit: Immediately place a credit freeze to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name without your consent. Learn more here.
  • Review credit reports: Obtain free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com and carefully review them for any unauthorized activity.
  • Contact financial institutions: Notify your bank, credit card companies and any other relevant institutions of the identity theft to secure your accounts.
  • File a police report: If necessary, file a police report to document the theft, especially if you need to prove the theft to creditors or other entities.
  • Monitor your identity: Continue to monitor your credit and personal information regularly to catch any further fraudulent activity.

 

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