3 Key Things to Do About the Latest Social Security Breach

Your social security number may have been leaked during the massive data breach of the National Public Data company. They conduct background checks.

Your contact information such as phone numbers and past addresses may have also been leaked. 

The company was hacked and almost 3 billion records were stolen of people living and deceased. This information can be used for identity theft and fraud. 

Here are some steps you may want to take.

1) Check if your information was leaked.

There are two companies that set up sites that you can use to check if your information was leaked. Both sites say they do not store search information. 

1) Atlas Privacy Data Corporation 

This company helps people remove their information from online. They set up the site http://npdbreach.com/. 

2) Pentester

This is a cybersecurity company. They set up the site http://npd.pentester.com/. However, be aware they will show your full social security number and other information. 

2) Set up credit monitoring. 

You should monitor your accounts to make sure no one is attempting to use your information to create fraudulent accounts. 

Sites like Credit Karma will allow you to monitor your credit for free. Experian has free credit monitoring. Many credit card companies also have credit monitoring. Transunion and Equifax both offer credit monitoring services. 

You can also have a free fraud alert set up on your credit file from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Transunion and Equifax.

3) Freeze your credit accounts 

Call each of the three major credit bureaus and place a free freeze on your credit. This will prevent anyone from opening credit lines in your name. 

The credit freeze is free. The credit lock is usually paid. The major difference between a freeze and a lock is the amount of time to implement and remove the freeze or lock. The lock is almost immediate. The freeze can take a few days.

If you need to access your credit or give a company access then you will need to unfreeze your credit. 

Of note, the data stolen mostly contained records from older adults. The average age is 70. All records seem to be from people born before 2002. Also, not all the information was accurate.