In a massive data breach, hackers have reportedly stolen and released personal data, including Social Security numbers, of nearly three billion people from North America and the UK. The data was stolen from National Public Data, a major data broker that provides personal information for background checks among other services. The breach was first reported by a notorious hacking group, USDoD, in April, and the data was initially offered for sale on a hacker forum for $3.5 million. However, the data was later released for free on an online marketplace for stolen personal data.
The breach includes sensitive data that could be used for identity theft, fraud, and other crimes. "If this in fact is pretty much the whole dossier on all of us, it certainly is much more concerning” than prior breaches, said Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
National Public Data has not formally notified people about the alleged breach but has been telling people who contacted it via email that it is aware of the claims and is investigating the issues. The company also stated that it had purged the entire database of any and all entries, essentially opting everyone out.
In response to the breach, experts are advising people to freeze their credit files at the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This action can prevent criminals from taking out loans, signing up for credit cards, and opening financial accounts under your name. However, you will need to remember to lift the freeze temporarily if you are obtaining or applying for something that requires a credit check.