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Hacked? Check Your SSN!
Hold on to your MAGA hats, folks! Another day, another data disaster—billions of records might have been swiped! Time to see if the Snowflakes got their hands on your private stuff. Better check now before they start "cancelling" you!
Published August 25, 2024 at 2:36pm by Julia Gomez
Big Government Strikes Again: Massive Data Breach Exposes Americans
Oh boy, here we go again! Another day, another data breach. This time, National Public Data dropped the ball and potentially exposed a whopping 2.9 billion records. That's right, folks — names, addresses, and even Social Security numbers are up for grabs. Buckle up!
Don't Fall for the Scam, Patriots
Social Security scams are as old as Joe Biden's policies. You might get a call from some "agent" claiming to be from the FBI, demanding your personal info to clear up a warrant. Yeah, right! But now, websites are saying they can help you find out if you're a victim of the recent breach. Sounds fishy, doesn't it?
Why You Shouldn't Hand Over Your Social Security Number
Sure, banks, schools, and new employers need your Social Security number. But do you really trust random websites with it? James E. Lee, chief operating officer at the Identity Theft Resource Center, has the right idea when he tells CNBC that you "certainly don’t recommend" entering your Social Security number on these sites.
What Fraudsters Can Do
According to AARP, fraudsters can:
- Open credit accounts in your name
- Use your info to collect unemployment insurance
- Circumvent your benefits
Reputable Sites to the Rescue
Not all sites are out to get you. Check out these reputable options that don't require your Social Security number:
- NPD.pentester.com — First name, last name, state, and birth year.
- NPDBreach.com — Full name and zip code, SSN, or phone number.
Credit Reports: Your First Line of Defense
CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORTS, folks! According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, you can request a free report once a year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. If you spot anything fishy, hit that credit freeze button!
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
Read more: Don't get tricked: How to check if your Social Security number was part of data breach