Introduction

In September 2024, National Public Data confirmed that a massive data breach exposed the personal records of millions of individuals. The leaked information includes names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and even Social Security numbers, potentially affecting up to 2.9 billion people. Here’s what you need to know:

What Happened?

National Public Data, a consumer data broker specializing in criminal records, background checks, and other forms of data, experienced a major security breach. This company provides data to private investigators, human resources departments, staffing agencies, consumer public record sites, government entities, and more.

The breach is believed to have started in December 2023, when a third-party hacker gained access to their system. By April 2024, a cybercriminal named “USDoD” posted the stolen data online in a criminal forum. On August 6, the stolen data resurfaced and was made available for free on multiple breach forums, accessible to anyone.

The exposed information includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and Social Security numbers for millions of individuals. In some cases, even deceased individuals’ records were compromised, along with alternate names and previous addresses.

Although the official breach report filed in Maine suggested that around 1.3 million records were affected, lawsuits are now claiming that the breach may have exposed up to 2.9 billion records.

As the investigation continues, some experts have pointed out that much of the leaked information—aside from Social Security numbers—was already publicly available or inaccurate. But even so, the dangers of this breach should not be underestimated.

Why Is This Breach So Dangerous?

Even though some of this information is already publicly available, having it all in one place makes it easier for cybercriminals to commit identity theft. With access to names, addresses, phone numbers, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers, criminals can easily apply for loans or credit cards in your name, or open fraudulent bank accounts.

Additionally, hackers often use common details like childhood street names and partial Social Security numbers to answer security questions and bypass account authentication, gaining access to your personal or financial accounts.

Experts also predict a rise in phishing and smishing (phishing via text) attacks in the wake of this breach.

Could You Be Affected Even If You’ve Never Heard of National Public Data?

Absolutely. Even if you’ve never interacted with National Public Data directly, other organizations, landlords, businesses, or government entities may have accessed your personal information through this broker.

What Should You Do to Protect Yourself?

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Check if Your Data Was Exposed:

Use tools like https://npd.pentester.com to check whether your information was compromised. If it was, take immediate action.

Freeze Your Credit:

Request a copy of your credit report and freeze your credit with the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Freezing your credit prevents criminals from opening new lines of credit in your name. The process is quick and free, taking about 10 minutes per site. If others in your household are over 18, it’s a good idea to freeze their credit as well, as anyone with a Social Security number is vulnerable after such a large breach.

Once you’ve frozen your credit, review your report for any unauthorized activities and set up alerts to monitor for any future changes.

Be Alert for Phishing Scams:

Cybercriminals may use the stolen information to launch phishing and smishing scams, attempting to trick you into giving away even more sensitive information. Be cautious of suspicious phone calls, emails, texts, and social media messages.

What Can You Do as a Business Owner?

A data breach is devastating for both businesses and the individuals whose data is compromised. As a business owner, it’s critical to take every possible precaution to safeguard your company’s data.

If you’re concerned about your own network’s security, we offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment to help identify any vulnerabilities. Our assessment will give you a clear blueprint of the next steps to secure your business against potential breaches.

To schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment, call our office at <<281-789-0059>> or click [here] to book your appointment today.