National Public Data has confirmed that it has been the victim of a massive data breach involving the personal information of millions of Americans, with an estimated 2.9 billion records potentially affected, including names, addresses and Social Security numbers.
Still, despite privacy concerns, Americans should not offer to submit their Social Security numbers to websites that claim to help identify whether they are victims of the recent breaches.
Social Security scams are nothing new. Every day someone might receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an FBI agent with a warrant for their arrest, and demanding that they hand over their Social Security number, banking information, or other personal information to resolve their issue.
But what about websites that claim to help you identify if your data was stolen in a recent breach?
Some websites claim to allow victims to check if their information has been stolen. While they may not be scams, you should never submit your Social Security number or other identifying information to random websites that may not be legitimate sources.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why you should be concerned:How to deal with a large-scale national public data breach
Why shouldn’t I give out my Social Security number?
Banks, schools, new employers, accountants, and landlords all ask for your Social Security number, but you should never submit it to a person, company, or website you don’t trust.
CNBC reports that experts like James E. Lee, chief operating officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center, “definitely do not recommend” entering your Social Security number into websites that can search to see if your personal information has been breached or leaked.
According to the AARP, scammers can use that number and other identifying information to do a number of things, including:
- Opening a credit card account in the victim’s name
- Using victim’s information to receive unemployment insurance
- Avoiding the interests of the victim
Some reputable websites allow you to check if your data has been stolen without having to submit your Social Security number.
According to CNBC, here are some reputable websites that don’t require you to provide your Social Security number:
- NPD.pentester.com — All users need to enter is their first name, last name, state, and year of birth.
- NPDBreach.com — Users can search for their information using their name, zip code, Social Security number, or phone number.
Credit reports can show signs of fraud
According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, people who are worried their identity may have been stolen can check their credit report for signs of fraud.
Credit reports are useful for monitoring suspicious or unexpected activity, and according to CNET, people can request their credit report once a year at:
According to the Federal Trade Commission, if your report finds suspicious activity, you can put a credit freeze in place to protect yourself against identity theft and further misuse of stolen information.
Julia is a popular reporter for USA Today, covering a variety of topics from business and government to technology and pop culture in her hometown of Miami. LinkedIn Or follow her X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz
