Massive Data Breach Exposes 2.9 Billion Records

An estimated 2.9 billion records, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, may be affected after National Public Data confirmed a massive data breach involving the personal information of millions of Americans.

Why You Shouldn't Submit Your Social Security Number

Despite privacy concerns, Americans should not offer to submit their Social Security numbers to websites claiming they can help identify if they’re victims of a recent breach. Social Security scams are not new, and people can receive fraudulent calls claiming to be from the FBI, demanding personal information to clear up matters.

Websites claiming to help victims identify if their information was stolen may not be scams, but people should still be cautious about submitting their Social Security numbers and other identifying information to unknown sources.

Experts Warn Against Disclosing SSNs

Banks, schools, new employers, accountants, and landlords do require Social Security numbers. However, experts like James E. Lee, chief operating officer at Identity Theft Resource Center, “certainly don’t recommend” people enter their Social Security numbers on websites that enable searches to see if personal information was affected or leaked, CNBC reported.

Fraudsters can use Social Security numbers and identifiable information to:

• Open credit accounts in the victim's name
• Use the victim's information to collect unemployment insurance
• Circumvent the victim's benefits

Reputable Websites for Checking Data Breaches

Some reputable websites allow people to check if their data was stolen without requiring them to submit a Social Security number:

• NPD.pentester.com – Only requires first name, last name, state, and birth year.
• NPDBreach.com – People can search for their information using their full name, zip code, SSN, or phone number.

Monitoring Credit Reports for Fraud

People can check their credit reports for signs of fraud. Credit reports help monitor unfamiliar or unexpected activity. People can request a credit report once a year from:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

If suspicious activity is found on reports, people can place a credit freeze to protect against identity theft and further misuse of stolen information, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok : @juliamariegz