A massive data breach happened at National Public Data, a major background check provider. Hackers stole 277GB of sensitive customer information, including unencrypted Social Security numbers, and attempted to sell it on the dark web for $3.5 million. (USA Today).

While Social Security number breaches are unfortunately common, there are critical steps you can take to safeguard your identity and credit:

Monitor Your Credit

Most banks and credit cards now offer free credit monitoring services. Stay vigilant for unusual activity, such as new accounts being opened in your name.

Freeze Your Credit

If you’re concerned about this breach, consider freezing your credit with Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. This prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name and stops credit bureaus from sharing your data with advertisers. Keep in mind that unfreezing your credit is necessary when applying for loans or new credit cards, which can cause minor delays.

 

While freezing your credit adds protection, it’s important to note that even credit bureaus have been hacked in the past. Continuous monitoring is essential to staying secure.

Maintain unique passwords

Using the same password across sites makes you vulnerable if one gets breached. Create strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager to store them securely. This helps protect your data from hackers.