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In today’s digital age, identity theft has become a significant concern for many people. One of the most critical pieces of personal information that cybercriminals seek is the Social Security number (SSN). Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find SSNs for sale on the dark web.
What is the Dark Web?
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The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through regular web browsers. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. The dark web is not indexed by search engines, making it challenging to monitor and regulate.
How Does a Social Security Number End Up on the Dark Web?
What Happens If I Get An Alert?
Illicit dark web marketplaces and forums ooze stolen and compromised PII, including SSNs sold to the highest bidders. The best way to find out if your SSN has been leaked online is to check if your data was part of a data breach. Additionally, you may have received a data notification letter from a breached company, which should specify what type of information was involved. A Dark Web scanner searches the depths of the internet for your personal information. Scanners can tell you whether your credit card details, SSN, or passwords have been leaked or stolen.
There are several ways that a Social Security number can end up on the dark web. Cybercriminals can obtain SSNs through data breaches, phishing scams, or by purchasing them from other criminals. Once they have obtained an SSN, they can sell it on the dark web to other criminals who can use it for various illegal activities such as identity theft, tax fraud, or opening bank accounts.
How to Protect Your Social Security Number
Protecting your Social Security number is crucial to prevent identity theft. Here are some steps you can take to protect your SSN:
However, if you receive an alert, it still means that you have been a victim of data theft. Your data is no longer under your control – it’s available on some shady online marketplace. It can be purchased and used by criminals to create fraudulent accounts in your name, hack into your existing accounts, or steal money from you or your close ones by means of phishing. Once you get your reports, check them for any credit card accounts or loans you know you never opened.
- Never carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse.
- Only give out your SSN when it is necessary and required by law.
- Regularly check your credit reports for any unusual activity.
- Consider freezing your credit to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
- Use a reputable identity theft protection service.
“But I Don’t Shop Online”
What to Do If Your Social Security Number is on the Dark Web
- If you notice any of the signs that your Social Security number has been stolen, you need to act right away to mitigate the damage.
- If you’ve detected any suspicious activity, contact the fraud department of your credit card company or bank and request them to restore the security and ownership of your accounts.
- If your Social Security number is found on the dark web, it can be used to open credit accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, and commit other types of identity theft.
In terms of bank security, you should worry about other things like a poor password, lack of two-factor authentication, and general carelessness when online banking. A threat actor can use your Social Security number together with PII to commit many forms of identity theft. Among other things, they can use this information to apply for loans, avoid criminal responsibility, or attempt to steal your tax refunds, social benefits, or even medical coverage. The best way to protect your Social Security number online is with a password manager. A password manager securely stores your Social Security number in an encrypted vault that can only be accessed with a strong master password.
This could be a helpful step, as most people are unaware about how to protect their information online, and what to do in case their private information is exposed in a data breach. An infant’s personal information can provide cybercriminals access to a clean credit history. This can be used to take out mortgages, apply for credit cards or receive government benefits.
If you suspect that your SSN is on the dark web, take the following steps:
- Contact the three major credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- Order a copy of your credit reports and review them for any unusual activity.
- File a police report and report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Consider freezing your credit to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
- Contact the Social Security Administration to report the identity theft.
No, only the Primary credit card member is eligible to receive the SSN, Inquiry & New Account Alerts. If your spouse or joint/secondary cardholder is the Primary cardmember of their own Discover Card account, he or she can enroll for these alerts on their account. According to LogDog, online accounts have become a “hot commodity” on the underground web, but not always for the same reason.
FAQs
What is the dark web? The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through regular web browsers. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access.
How does a Social Security number end up on the dark web? Cybercriminals can obtain SSNs through data breaches, phishing scams, or by purchasing them from other criminals.
Can someone use your Social Security number with a different name?
Criminals do crafty things like apply for a credit card at 10 different banks using SSNs that are only one digit away from each other. Or they use slightly different first names or street addresses in an attempt to evade a poor credit history or crime record.
How can I protect my Social Security number? Protecting your SSN is crucial to prevent identity theft. You can take steps such as never carrying your Social Security card in your wallet or purse, only giving out your SSN when it is necessary and required by law, regularly checking your credit reports, freezing your credit, and using a reputable identity theft protection service.
What should I do if my Social Security number is on the dark web? If you suspect that your SSN is on the dark web, contact the three major credit bureaus, order a copy of your credit reports, file a police report, report the identity theft to the FTC, consider freezing your credit, and contact the Social Security Administration to report the identity theft.
What does the last 4 digits of SSN tell you?
The last four digits of the SSN are the serial number. The serial number represents a straight numerical series of numbers from 0001–9999 within each group. Serial number 0000 is not assigned.
