National Public Data, a company that profits from collecting and selling personal data to various entities, had approximately 2.9 billion records stolen by the hacker group USDoD. This breach includes sensitive information such as first and last names, addresses, address histories, and Social Security numbers. The stolen data, totaling 277GB, poses a significant risk for identity theft and fraud.
To check if your data has been compromised, you can use the Have I Been Pwned website to see which breaches your information has been involved in. Keep in mind that even if your data is leaked, it may not be entirely accurate. It’s important to monitor your credit reports regularly and consider using an identity theft protection service like Aura.
In the event of a phishing attack, disconnect from the internet, back up important data, run an antivirus check, change passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication. If your Social Security number is compromised, file reports with the FTC and local law enforcement, monitor your credit reports, and contact the IRS to prevent tax-related fraud.