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Social Security Number on Dark Web: What You Need to Know

How Can I Help Protect Myself If I Lose My Social Security Card?

However, your SSN is not as valuable to an identity thief as you might think. Credit monitoring can help you detect possible identity fraud sooner, and can prevent surprises when you apply for credit. Learning that your information has been stolen in a data breach can be shocking.

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However, you needn’t sink into the depths of the dark web in search of your SSN. There are safer ways to determine whether your SSN landed on the dark web and if it is available to criminals shopping the cyber black market. If your PII surfaces on a cybercrime forum or website, there are ways for you to receive early notifications. Scammers will do everything in their power to gain access to your accounts, and your Social Security number is one of their favorite targets. The Dark Web is a small part of the web that isn’t indexed, meaning that it can’t be accessed by normal search engines.

They may even make a driver’s license or medical insurance card using your information and then use the documents if they’re arrested or want to get a medical procedure. SIM swapping is when someone temporarily takes over your phone line using the same SIM swapping procedure that you’d use to activate a new phone. Criminals do this by tricking or paying off mobile phone carriers’ employees. They then can have your text message MFA codes sent to a phone they control so they can access your accounts.

• It’s important to understand that the use of someone else’s SSN, even if obtained unlawfully, is illegal.
• Some had Social Security numbers, names and addresses while other more extensive packages came with utility bills, statements from a bank account or a driver’s license number.
• I stumbled across a website that is used by anyone trying to build a synthetic identity.
• Yes, you can order a replacement card, but your priority should be to block criminals from using your Social Security number to create trouble in your financial life.
• One buyer from the SSNDOB site used stolen information that he bought to steal and launder nearly $10 million, according to the U.S.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of personal information such as social security numbers (SSNs). In this article, we will discuss what you need to know about SSNs on the dark web and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Even the best identity theft protection can’t prevent every data leak. A monitoring service will notify you if your social security number, credit card number or other sensitive information has appeared on the dark web. Choosing a strong password for every online account can help protect your personal information. Even if a cybercriminal steals one of your passwords in a data breach, they will only be able to access one account.

What is a Social Security Number?

His goal is to inform others about the current trends within the cybersecurity industry in a simplified fashion. Tim’s blogs aim to protect people and businesses against cyber threats and teach them the importance of password security. You should never share your Social Security number with just anyone. If black market you receive an unsolicited message asking to share your Social Security number, you should avoid it as it is most likely a phishing scam. To prevent threat actors from abusing your Social Security number and avoid the damaging effects of identity theft, you need to protect your Social Security number.

In that case, you need to contact each of the companies that the threat actor may have used your Social Security number with. Go through your messages and financial activity to determine which companies the threat actor contacted, including banks, utility companies or employers. Contact those companies notifying them of the identity theft and the fraudulent activity under your name. You may need to provide proof dark web list of your identity and that the fraudulent activity did not originate from you. If you want to know how your information was stolen, where it came from, and where it ended up, use IDStrong’s dark web monitoring and alerts. The service will update you with information like when the data breach occurred, what website or account was hacked, and what personal information about you was published without your consent.

A social security number is a unique nine-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. 2024 working darknet market It is used to track individuals for tax purposes and to provide identification for social security benefits. Unfortunately, it has also become a common target for identity thieves.

How is a Social Security Number Sold on the Dark Web?

SSNs are often sold on the dark web in bundles with other personal information, such as names, addresses, and birth dates. They can be obtained through data breaches, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. Once an SSN is on the dark web, it can be used for a variety of fraudulent activities, including opening bank accounts, applying for credit cards, and filing tax returns.

How to Protect Your Social Security Number

There are several steps you can take to protect your SSN from being sold on the dark web:

• Never share your SSN with anyone unless it is necessary.
• Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
• Consider placing a freeze on your credit reports to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
• Use a reputable identity theft protection service.

What to Do if Your Social Security Number is on the Dark Web

If you suspect that your SSN is on the dark web, take the following steps:

Should I be worried if my email is on the dark web?

If your email address is circulating on the Dark Web, it’s almost certainly due to a data breach. The problem is that the average internet user doesn’t use the Dark Web — and therefore doesn’t know if their data is compromised.

Is it safe to enter your SSN online?

Don’t enter your SSN into your phone, laptop, or other devices. It would be rare for you to need your card. Typically, reciting the number is all that’s required. Keep the number in your head and the card locked up at home.

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.