Dark Web Social Security Numbers: What You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, personal information is more vulnerable than ever before. With the rise of data breaches and cybercrime, it’s essential to understand the risks associated with having your personal information, such as your Social Security number, exposed on the dark web.

What is the Dark Web?

Was Your SSN Found On The Dark Web? Here’s What To Do

After you become involved in a data breach, hackers can try to sell your information to scammers, fraudsters, and other cybercrooks on the dark web. Each dark web scan tool works differently, but generally, you have to enter your email into the dark web scanner. Some tools may require that you provide them with more information such as your Social Security number (SSN) and phone number. After securing your accounts, make sure nobody has opened new accounts using your information. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get an annual free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access. It’s often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen personal information, drugs, and weapons. The dark web is not indexed by search engines and can’t be accessed through traditional web browsers.

How are Social Security Numbers Sold on the Dark Web?

Can Someone Access My Bank Account With My Social Security Number?

Even if you manage to acquire a valid SSN, using it for illegal activities can have far-reaching consequences. The repercussions can include damaging someone else’s life, negatively impacting their credit, or causing them immense stress and hardship. The innocent individuals whose SSNs are being traded on the Dark Web often bear the brunt of these criminal activities.

Cybercriminals often obtain Social Security numbers through data breaches, phishing scams, and other forms of cyber attacks. Once they have your Social Security number, they can sell it on the dark web to other criminals who may use it for identity theft, tax fraud, or other forms of financial fraud.

What are the Risks of Having Your Social Security Number on the Dark Web?

Financial Information

And while we all love to work at our favorite coffee shop, using an unsecured Wi-Fi network can leave our personal information in public view. You need to protect your Social Security number to prevent identity theft. Threat actors can use your Social Security number to commit fraud and leave you with lasting effects such as debt, damaged credit and financial… 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.

If your Social Security number is on the dark web, you’re at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Criminals can use your Social Security number to open credit cards, take out loans, and file tax returns in your name. This can result in damage to your credit score, financial loss, and legal issues.

How Can You Protect Your Social Security Number?

There are several steps you can take to protect your Social Security number:

• Never give out your Social Security number unless it’s necessary and you trust the recipient.
• Monitor your credit reports regularly for signs of fraud.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts.
• Install antivirus software on your devices to protect against malware and phishing scams.

If you’re using both direct and indirect searches and separate companies with different approaches, and a positive result isn’t found, you can be more confident that your SSN is safe. Once Williams received the phones, he would activate and sell them for profit, officials said. The I-Team consulted cyber security professionals to download the data to get a better idea of what kind of information is being exposed.

• Consider using a credit monitoring service to alert you of any suspicious activity related to your Social Security number.

• For questions or concerns, please contact Chase customer service or let us know about Chase complaints and feedback.
• The resulting stress, financial loss and time spent trying to recover from such a crime can be overwhelming.
• Protect your critical data, monitor your environment for intrusions and respond to security incidents with 24/7 managed security services.
• Monitoring your credit helps prevent the likelihood of this happening.

FAQs

What should I do if I think my Social Security number is on the dark web?

If you suspect that your Social Security number is on the dark web, contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your account. You should also consider filing a police report and contacting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the identity theft.

Can I access the dark web to check if my Social Security number is being sold?

It’s not recommended to access the dark web yourself, as it can be dangerous and illegal. Instead, consider using a reputable dark web monitoring service that can scan the dark web for your personal information and alert you if it’s found.

How can I prevent my Social Security number from being stolen in the first place?

The best way to prevent your Social Security number from being stolen is to practice good cybersecurity habits, such as using strong, unique passwords, installing antivirus software, and avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.