The Dangers of Dark Web Social Security Number Exposure

She spends most of her time between her two feline friends and traveling. It’s especially important to complete a fraud report if you are going to dispute fraudulent charges; otherwise, there’s no proof of your being a victim. You can sign up for a free 14-day trial of Aura and start monitoring the Dark Web for your sensitive information right now. Unfortunately, free Dark Web scanners are often limited in what they can find (and don’t constantly monitor the Dark Web for your information).

How Do These SSN, Inquiry & New Account Alerts Actually Work?

You’re at home one night watching TV, and all of a sudden you receive a dark web email alert from Chase Credit Journey®. “Understanding what options are available to provide you the most security, and gravitating toward those options, is always the recommendation and the best practice,” Myroup says. If you’re responsible for an aging parent, you’ll also need to be alert, as older adults are often the top targets of scammers.

• Info on the dark web doesn’t show up in your run-of-the-mill search engines.
• It is also used for other government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, as well as for tax purposes.
• A variety of data breaches can lead to the compromise of your social security number.

Every day, it seems, another data security disaster puts our personal information at risk. If it’s not a major hotel or restaurant chain getting hacked, it’s a financial institution. 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. Although not everyone is using the Dark Web to engage in illegal activities, it has a history of also being leveraged as a platform for political dissidents and corporate whistleblowers. The Norton and LifeLock Brands are part of Gen. LifeLock identity theft protection is not available in all countries.

File An FTC Report, Report The Incident To The SSA And Alert The IRS

In today’s digital age, personal information is more vulnerable than ever. With the rise of the dark web, sensitive data such as social security numbers are at an even greater risk of being exposed and exploited.

From shady hacking collectives and illegal marketplaces, to identity thieves and fraudsters, all sorts of risks lurk in the dark depths of the web. You must protect any personally identifiable information from getting into the wrong hands. Ensure you don’t give sensitive information to people on social media. This means if hackers get your login details, they still can’t access your account with the passwords alone. As such, it’s important to protect your accounts with strong passwords. Generic passwords like your date of birth, child’s name, marriage anniversary, pet’s name, etc., are easy to crack.

Credit monitoring can help you detect possible identity fraud sooner, and can prevent surprises when you apply for credit. Change your passwords often, and use a password manager dark web site if you tend to forget passwords or don’t know how to create strong options. Check links you receive in email before opening them and providing sensitive information.

BreachWatch monitors for suspicious activity and will alert you to any dark web activity involving credentials that match the one’s stored in your Keeper Vault. When a record is flagged as “high-risk,” you’ll enter the dark web get a notification, and Keeper will help you change the password to better secure your information. Once you change your password to a strong and unique alternative, it will no longer show as high-risk.

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What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through traditional web browsers. It is often used for illegal activities such as selling stolen personal information, drugs, and weapons. The dark web operates through a network of encrypted sites that can only be accessed using special software, making it a hotbed for criminal activity.

Data Breaches

How is Social Security Number Exposure on the Dark Web a Threat?

Social security numbers are a valuable commodity on the dark web. They can be used for a variety of fraudulent activities such as opening bank accounts, filing tax returns, and obtaining loans or credit cards in someone else’s name. Once a social security number is exposed on the dark web, it can be sold and resold multiple times, putting the victim at risk for years to come.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is one of the most common and damaging consequences of social security number exposure on the dark web. With access to your social security number, a criminal can impersonate you and gain access to your financial accounts, credit reports, and personal information. This can result in significant financial losses and damage to your credit score, making it difficult to obtain loans, credit cards, or even employment in the future.

Tax Fraud

Another common threat associated with social security number exposure on the dark web is tax fraud. Criminals can use your social security number to file false tax returns and claim refunds in your name. This can result in significant financial losses and can take years to resolve with the IRS.

Medical Fraud

Social security numbers can also be used for medical fraud. Criminals can use your social security number to obtain medical services or tor for dark web prescription drugs in your name. This can result in incorrect medical records, denied insurance claims, and even legal consequences.

How to Protect Your Social Security Number from the Dark Web

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate the risk of social security number exposure on the dark web, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Never share your social security number unless it’s necessary and you trust the recipient.
• Shred any documents containing your social security number before disposing of them.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
• Consider using a credit monitoring service to alert you of any potential threats.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Be cautious of phishing emails and never click on suspicious links.

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of social security number exposure on the dark web and protect yourself from the potential consequences of identity theft, tax fraud, and medical fraud.