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What happens if a scammer has your Social Security number?
Once they have your SSN, scammers can use it for numerous types of fraud — from opening bank accounts in your name to stealing your tax refund or even posing as you during police interactions.
Identity theft is a growing concern in today’s digital age, and one of the most valuable pieces of information that can be stolen is a Social Security number. Unfortunately, Social Security numbers can be found on the dark web, a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and requires special software to access.
What Can A Thief Do With Your Social Security Number?
What is the Dark Web?
The NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Patent Office, and private databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw are some of the largest sites listed here. It’s what you see and interact with daily when you use Google, Yahoo! I just received a text saying to expect a federal express package tomorrow with options to cancel or stop or see more. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments.
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through special software, such as the Tor browser. It is often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen personal information, drugs, and weapons. Because of its anonymity, it is a popular place for cybercriminals to conduct their illicit activities.
Report Fraud To The Social Security Administration
How are Social Security Numbers Stolen?
Can a SSN be deactivated?
Your Social Security number can't be deactivated or suspended.
Social Security numbers can be stolen in a variety of ways, including data breaches, phishing scams, and physical theft. Once a Social Security number is stolen, it can be sold on the dark web to the highest bidder. This information can then be used for a variety of fraudulent activities, such as opening credit accounts, filing tax returns, and even obtaining medical care.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Social Security Number?
Protecting your Social Security number is essential in today’s digital age. Here are some steps you can take to help protect your information:
Can Dark Web Monitoring Help Businesses?
The cost and age of the alleged victims came as a surprise to Emily Wilson, the company’s director of analysis. It was posted on a dark web marketplace only accessible through software called Tor. The dark web refers to networks of websites that require specific software to access. As identity thieves continue to evolve their methods for obtaining personal information, protecting your Social Security number is vital to protecting your identity.
- Never share your Social Security number with anyone unless it is necessary and you know who you are dealing with.
- Keep your Social Security card in a safe place, such as a locked safe or safe deposit box.
- Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
- Consider using a credit monitoring service to help detect any potential fraud.
- Be cautious of phishing scams and never click on links or download attachments from unknown sources.
What Should You Do if Your Social Security Number is Stolen?
- If identity thieves have your Social Security number, they may be able to apply for credit in your name including new auto loans, credit cards, student loans and personal loans.
- Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing whether someone has your Social Security number until they use it.
- There are safe and effective ways to determine whether your SSN exists on the dark web, as well as steps you can take to mitigate the possible damage by using an identity theft protection service.
- If you ever get curious and wish to explore the darknet, do not forget to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- But the dark web’s discreet nature is also exploited by hackers and criminals to trade in weapons, drugs, stolen data, and other illicit goods and services.
If you suspect that your Social Security number has been stolen, it is important to take action immediately. Here are some steps you should take:
Should I change my email address if it is on the dark web?
If you want to update the address, you have to create a brand-new account. Changing your password and setting up MFA should be enough to keep your account secure even after a breach. However, in a worst-case scenario, you might have to create a new email address and update all your details across different platforms.
- Contact the Social Security Administration to report the theft and request a new number.
- Contact the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- File a police report to document the theft.
- Contact your banks and credit card companies to report the theft and close any fraudulent accounts.
- Consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
For example, your SSN could get intercepted and read after you send your information. There are sometimes ways to help keep your information safe — for instance, by using a VPN on an unprotected Wi-Fi network. But the safest way to share may be face to face with someone you know and trust. Not all thieves will want your Social Security number, but many will.
Carefully confirm your accounts and open lines of credit to make sure all of the information is legitimate. Experian told cybersecurity news outlet ThreatPost that the issue was limited to the website of one client. In 2020 Experian suffered a breach that affected an estimated 24 million South Africans. For instance, attackers could use them to convince a phone company to port a victim’s cellphone number to a new device. The technique, known as SIM Swapping, allows cybercriminals to bypass two-factor authentication and gain access to everything from a target’s Twitter account to their bitcoin wallets.
FAQs
What is the dark web? The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through special software, such as the Tor browser. It is often associated with illegal activities, such as the sale of stolen personal information, drugs, and weapons.
How are Social Security numbers stolen? Social Security numbers can be stolen in a variety of ways, including data breaches, phishing scams, and physical theft.
What can you do to protect your Social Security number? Protecting your Social Security number is essential in today’s digital age. Some steps you can take include never sharing your number unless necessary, keeping your card in a safe place, regularly checking your credit reports, and being cautious of phishing scams.
What should you do if your Social Security number is stolen? If you suspect that your Social Security number has been stolen, it is important to take action immediately. This includes contacting the Social Security Administration, credit bureaus, and your banks and credit card companies to report the theft and close any fraudulent accounts.
Should I lock my Social Security number?
There are several advantages of locking your Social Security number: No one can use your Social Security number when it's locked. No one can apply for a job in your name and run up a tax bill for money you never earned.
