Tip 7: Shred Documents That Feature Personal Information

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In 2021 alone, the FTC received 1.4 million reports of identity theft.1 Identity theft occurs when personal information is stolen and used without the individual’s knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Not only can this crime tarnish the affected individual’s credit history and name, but rectifying the problem can cost time, money, and a great deal of effort. The few that do are often considered more trustworthy; otherwise, you wouldn’t give them such vital information. However, even massive enterprises have been victims of data breaches in the past decade. If enough elements are exposed, it can quickly result in identity theft, making it vital that any personal information is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. Once a hacker has your social, he or she can commit all kinds of identity fraud – it doesn’t stop at bank accounts.

How To Tell If Scammers Are Using Your SSN

Dark Web Social Security Number: What You Need to Know

Identity thieves target your social security number, passport number, or driver’s license number because these items can allow them to open new credit accounts or loans in your name. There is a dark layer of the internet deep down where criminals swap and sell stolen information for identity theft or fraud. Dark web monitoring continuously scans the dark web’s deepest corners looking for exposure of your personal information. You receive how to get onto dark web notifications if your sensitive information is found on the dark web, so you can take quick action to fix the problem before it can do more harm. Filling out credit agency dispute forms may help you fix your credit report, but the bureaus won’t help you get your money back. For that, you need to contact your bank, credit card company, employer, landlord, or any other financial institutions affected by fraudulent activity.

Exposing oneself to such content can be deeply unsettling; venturing into the dark web should be done with extreme caution. Trend Micro takes your privacy seriously and complies with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) to protect your data. It might be helpful when you report the issue to other agencies or companies. Thankfully, the risk of mail containing your Social Security number is decreasing, due to laws restricting the inclusion of it on any document or package sent by physical mail, unless required for specific reasons. However, those specific reasons might apply to you (for instance, where there is no other way to prove your identity), and some mail senders might not follow the law.

In today’s digital age, protecting your personal information is more important than ever. One piece of information that is highly sought after by cybercriminals is your Social Security darknet drugs number. Unfortunately, this valuable piece of data can be found on the dark web, a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is often used for illegal activities.

Windows and Mac come with built-in options for encrypting files behind a password. This feature makes it harder for hackers to access your files even if they break into your device. Encrypted cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneNote, iCloud, and Dropbox are also great options and allow for easy access. To get a true understanding of why it’s so important to make sure that your social security number never falls into the wrong hands, let’s start from the beginning.

What is the Dark Web?

You can monitor for login credentials and other personal information, such as your Social Security number, IP address, credit and debit card numbers, driver’s license number, and more. If IDStrong finds your stolen credit or debit card data on the dark web, you need to act fast to minimize the threat and prevent financial fraud. Call your bank immediately and report and dispute fraudulent charges, cancel your card, and request a new one. On some dark web forums, cybercriminals can take classes on how to steal credit card data. Members of these forums also sell “fullz,” a slang term for full sets of people’s personal information.

Using the dark web comes with a great deal of anonymity and privacy compared to conventional websites. You can only access the dark web with specific browsers like TOR (The Onion Router). browsing the dark web The NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, US Patent Office, and private databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw are some of the largest sites listed here.

• However, data breaches happen every day, especially with phishing being on an absolute spree since COVID-19 started.
• If your phone number is found on the dark web, you can register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce spam calls.
• Also known as the “invisible web” and the “hidden web,” the deep web consists of all the online pages that aren’t indexed by search engines (for example, password-protected pages).
• When buying a mobile phone or phone plan, the customer could be asked to provide a Social Security number.
• You can create a myEquifax account to place a fraud alert and security freeze on your Equifax credit report.
• The sooner you notice that your information is on the dark web, the sooner you can take action to protect your accounts, money and identity.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is only accessible through specialized software, such as the Tor browser. It is often used for illegal activities, such as selling drugs, weapons, and stolen personal information. Because of its anonymity, the dark web is a popular place for cybercriminals to buy and sell stolen data, including Social Security numbers.

How is a Social Security Number Sold on the Dark Web?

Cybercriminals often obtain Social Security numbers through data breaches, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. Once they have obtained a large number of Social Security numbers, they will often sell them on the dark web in bundles. These bundles can contain hundreds or even thousands of Social Security numbers, and are often sold for a few dollars each.

How to Protect Your Social Security Number

Protecting your Social Security number is crucial in today’s digital age. Here are some steps you can take to keep your number safe:

• Never share your Social Security number unless it is necessary and you are sure the recipient is legitimate.
• Keep your Social Security card in a safe place, such as a locked box or safe.
• Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity.
• Consider freezing your credit to prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.

By taking these steps, you can help protect your Social Security number from being sold on the dark web.

Conclusion

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