Content
Your social security number is one of the most important and sensitive pieces of information that identifies you. If it falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to identity theft, financial loss, and a host of other problems. Unfortunately, many individuals unknowingly have their social security numbers exposed on the dark web, making them vulnerable to fraudsters and criminals.
What is the Dark Web?
What Does Having Your Information On The Dark Web Means?
Social Security Numbers and dates of birth data of individuals, has been shut down, according to the Department of Justice. Unfortunately, once your personal information is exposed on the Dark Web, it remains there indefinitely. There is no service that can scrub your data from the Dark Web, and the longer it is there the more damage it may cause. For a person faced with identity theft, it’s an emotional burden as well as a huge disruption to your life, with time spent away from the office to restore your good name. Unlike the surface web, which is accessible to anyone with an internet connection, the dark web requires specific software, configurations, and knowledge to access. This added layer of complexity makes it attractive to cybercriminals who want to operate under the radar.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. It is often used for illicit activities, including buying and selling personal information, such as social security numbers.
Why Is Dark Web Monitoring Important?
How Does Your Social Security Number End Up on the Dark Web?
Can two people have the same Social Security number?
There are millions of people who have SSNs, and some people think it is unique, but it is not, your number can match several people.
- Data Breaches: When companies are hacked, cybercriminals can steal sensitive information, including social security numbers, and sell them on the dark web.
- Phishing Scams: Fraudsters use fake emails, websites, or phone calls to trick individuals into providing their social security numbers.
- Stolen Wallets or Documents: If your wallet or important documents containing your social security number are lost or stolen, they could end up on the dark web.
Threat actors can use your Social Security number to obtain loans, credit cards, medical treatment or utilities under your name, to avoid paying the bills themselves. Debt collectors will then message you regarding these overdue bills that you don’t recognize but need to pay. If you notice strange calls from debt collectors, a threat actor most likely stole and used your Social Security number.
We are committed to preventing, detecting, and eliminating fraud in our programs. It’s necessary for you and your loved ones to always stay vigilant and know how to protect yourself from Social Security-related fraud. Search online or contact regulators to see if complaints have been filed against the company, too. If you have not lost the card itself, but someone steals and uses your account number, you generally have no liability for unauthorized use. But you still want to take action and contact your issuer immediately. “People have a heightened awareness because of all these problems,” Grant said.
What Can Happen If You Become A Victim Of Tax Identity Theft?
Some services, such as Equifax, which leaked over 140 million SSNs onto the internet, have a dedicated tool you can use to see if you have been affected. However, Google Alerts itself can be manipulated by cybercriminals as part of a phishing attempt to encourage you to visit malicious sites. If you see a notification, check directly with the breached source or by using a reputable website.
What Can Happen if Your Social Security Number is on the Dark Web?
- Identity Theft: Criminals can use your social security number to open credit accounts, file tax returns, or commit other fraudulent activities in your name.
- Financial Loss: You may be held responsible for debts or charges incurred by the identity thief, leading to financial strain and damage to your credit score.
- Legal Troubles: If a criminal uses your social security number to commit crimes, you could be wrongly implicated and face legal repercussions.
How to Protect Your Social Security Number
- Your information could show up on the dark web for all sorts of reasons, many of them prior and unrelated to the Accellion breach.
- 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.
- Continue reading to learn more about how you can tell if someone has stolen your Social Security number, what to do if someone stole it and how you can prevent it from getting stolen.
- You are allowed under law to freeze and unfreeze your credit record for free at the three nationwide credit reporting companies — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
While it may be impossible to completely eliminate the risk of your social security number ending up on the dark web, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances:
- Avoid sharing your social security number unless absolutely necessary.
- Regularly check your credit report for any suspicious activity.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
A Radware survey of 2020 released last month found that of 205 IT security decision-makers, 98% said their apps were subject to an attack in 2020. Another report from CDNetworks found an 800% increase in web application attacks in the first six months of 2020. After the EU, Japan and the UAE, the average price of stolen credentials was above an average of $20 per record in Colombia, New Zealand, and Mexico. Turkey, Israel, China, Singapore, Canada, and Australia all had averages of either $14 or $15. You can also place what’s known as a self-lock on your SSN through E-Verify® at www.e-verify.gov, a government service that employers use to confirm a job applicant’s eligibility to work. If landing in prison is not enough of a deterrent, think about the poor kid that you are potentially defrauding.
Stay Vigilant
Can you get your information removed from the dark web?
It is generally implausible to remove data that has been disseminated within the Dark Web.
By staying informed about the risks of having your social security number on the dark web and taking proactive measures to protect it, you can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to identity theft and other forms of fraud.
Can hackers use your Social Security number?
They can use your SSN to drain your existing bank accounts.
Identity hackers also can use your stolen SSN to dip into any of your existing bank accounts. Armed with that knowledge, they can simply transfer money.
