Hacking Group USDoD Accused of Massive Data Breach

The hacking group USDoD is accused of stealing billions of personal records, including Social Security numbers, affecting millions of individuals.

According to a class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and reported by Bloomberg Law, the breach occurred around April 2024. USDoD allegedly claims to have stolen the data of 2.9 billion people from National Public Data.

How to Check if Your Information Was Breached

Individuals concerned about potential identity theft can review their credit reports for any signs of fraud. Credit reports allow people to monitor for any unusual or unexpected activity.

You can request a free credit report once a year from the following sources:

• Equifax
• Experian
• TransUnion

Benefits of a Free Credit Report

Obtaining a free credit report offers several benefits:

1. Fraud Detection: Regularly checking your credit report allows you to spot signs of identity theft or fraudulent activity, such as unauthorized accounts or inquiries.
2. Credit Score Monitoring: By reviewing your credit report, you can monitor changes in your credit score, helping you understand factors that may be impacting it positively or negatively.
3. Error Correction: Credit reports can contain errors, such as incorrect account information or outdated data. Reviewing your report gives you the chance to identify and correct these inaccuracies, ensuring your credit history is accurate.
4. Financial Planning: Understanding your credit report can help you make informed decisions about loans, credit cards, and other financial products. It provides insight into how lenders might view your creditworthiness.
5. Loan and Credit Approval: Regularly monitoring your credit report can help you maintain a good credit history, increasing your chances of being approved for loans or credit with favorable terms.
6. Debt Management: A credit report provides a comprehensive view of your outstanding debts, helping you manage and prioritize repayment more effectively.
7. Awareness of Credit Usage: Reviewing your credit report keeps you aware of how much credit you’re using and whether you’re nearing your limits, which can help you manage your credit responsibly.

How to Freeze Your Credit

If you suspect that your personal information or identity has been compromised, getting a credit freeze can offer valuable protection against fraudulent activities. A credit freeze limits access to your credit report, serving as a preventive measure to safeguard your financial well-being.

Freezing your credit is a straightforward process and can be done through the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Equifax

• Online: Visit the Equifax Credit Freeze page.
• By Phone: Call Equifax at 1-800-685-1111.
• By Mail: Send a request to Equifax, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, GA 30348. Include your name, address, Social Security number and copies of documentation proving your identity (like a driver's license, utility bill, or bank statement).

Experian

• Online: Visit the Experian Credit Freeze page.
• By Phone: Call Experian at 1-888-397-3742.
• By Mail: Send a request to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013. Include your name, address, Social Security number and proof of identity.

TransUnion

• Online: Visit the TransUnion Credit Freeze page.
• By Phone: Call TransUnion at 1-888-909-8872.
• By Mail: Send a request to TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094. Include your name, address, Social Security number and proof of identity.

Why You Should Avoid Sharing Your Social Security Number

If you're trying to open a bank account, enroll in school, buy a house, or rent an apartment, your Social Security number is required for these transactions.

However, you should never provide your Social Security number to individuals, businesses, or websites you don’t trust.

According to the Texas attorney general's office, fraud can occur from sharing your personal, financial, or health plan information over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet unless you have a trusted relationship with the requestor and you initiated the contact.

Fraudsters can open credit accounts in the victim's name as well as other scams once they have your information.

USA Today contributed to this report.