tech

2.9 billion records hacked. Social Security numbers compromised.

Hacking collective USDoD boasts theft of 2.9 billion personal records from National Public Data, including Social Security details. The breach potentially impacts nearly every American adult.

Published August 15, 2024 at 8:32am by Emily DeLetter

Data Breach Exposes 2.9 Billion Records with SSNs, Personal Info

A massive data breach has potentially exposed the personal records of 2.9 billion people, including names, addresses, relatives, and Social Security numbers, dating back decades. The breach, allegedly by hacking group USDoD, was first reported by the Los Angeles Times and confirmed through a class-action lawsuit filed in Florida. The stolen data is said to be sold on the dark web, and free copies have also been released, posing a severe risk of fraud and identity theft.

Data Breach Details:

Scope: 277.1 GB of data, 2.9 billion records
Source: National Public Data, a Florida-based background check company
Exposed Information: Names, address histories, relatives, and SSNs
Timeline: Believed to have occurred around April 2024; data posted for sale and released for free in subsequent months

"We are aware of certain third-party claims about consumer data and are investigating these issues."
— National Public Data, via email responses as reported by the Los Angeles Times

What to Do if Your Information Has Been Stolen:

Update antivirus software and perform security scans
Change passwords, using strong and unique credentials
Enable multi-factor authentication
Monitor credit reports and freeze credit if necessary
Be vigilant against phishing attempts

For more information and updates on the data breach:

Los Angeles Times report: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-08-13/hacker-claims-theft-of-every-american-social-security-number
Class-action lawsuit: https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/desktop/document/HofmannvJericoPicturesIncDocketNo024cv61383SDFlaAug012024CourtDoc?doc_id=X6S27DVM6H69DSQO6MTRAQRIVBS
Cybersecurity expert's post on X: https://x.com/H4ckManac/status/1777246310782902686
Bleeping Computer report on "Fenice" leak: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-leak-27-billion-data-records-with-social-security-numbers/
Schubert, Jonckheer & Kolbe press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/privacy-alert-national-public-data-under-investigation-for-data-breach-of-over-2-9-billion-records-302220370.html
National Public Data website: https://www.nationalpublicdata.com/index.html
Money.com article on protecting your information: https://money.com/what-to-do-if-your-information-is-found-on-the-dark-web/