There was a report of a huge data breach not long ago. It happened at National Public Data, and hackers got their hands on the personal information, like Social Security numbers, of millions of Americans.
The company finally admitted to the breach on its website last week, even though it happened at the end of last year. They said that “some data could leak in April 2024 and the summer of 2024.”
Who may have been affected by this Social Security data breach?
There is evidence that the breach includes data going back at least 30 years. People are very worried that their Social Security numbers were included.
It’s understandable that a lot of people are worried about whether their private data was stolen in this huge hack. Here’s how to find out if you’re one of them.
Pen tester, a top cybersecurity company, has made a tool that can help you figure out if your data was stolen during the breach. This tool makes it easy to see if your Social Security number was among the information that was leaked.
- Visit the Pen tester website.
- Enter your details as prompted by the tool.
- Receive instant feedback on whether your information was part of the breach.
Because of how big this breach is, you need to move right away if your data was stolen. You might want to keep an eye on your credit records, put in fraud alerts, or even freeze your credit if you have to.
After this breach, it’s important to remember to always be careful with your personal data. Changing your passwords often, using two-factor authentication, and being careful about sharing your information can all help lower the risk of future leaks.
Steps to Take If Your Social Security Number Was Breached
To begin, open an online browser and go to npd.pentester.com. Type in your first and last name and the year you were born. This will show you a list of accounts that were hacked, along with the last four numbers of the stolen Social Security numbers.
Monitor Your Financial Accounts
Keeping a close eye on your bank accounts is one of the most important steps. A lot of people in the U.S. don’t pay close attention to their credit card bills or their checking and savings account amounts.
Hackers unfortunately count on people forgetting to do this. Make it a habit to look over your financial statements often so that you can spot any strange behavior right away.
Set Up Credit Monitoring
Setting up services that check your credit is another smart move. This will help make sure that no one uses your private data without your permission. If your credit report changes or something new happens, a credit tracking service will let you know.
Contact Credit Reporting Agencies
You should also get in touch with one of the three main credit reporting companies in the U.S. These are Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Ask to have an alert set up for scams on your account.
If you set up a fraud alert, creditors will be told to get in touch with you before starting new accounts or making changes to ones you already have.
- Navigate to npd.pentester.com and check if your Social Security number was breached
- Monitor your financial accounts regularly
- Set up credit monitoring services
- Contact Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to set up a fraud alert
By being cautious and taking these steps, you can make sure your financial security and lower the risk of identity theft. Be careful and keep your personal information safe.