How Does Dark Web Monitoring Work?

What Happens If Your SSN Is On The Dark Web?

What Is Vishing? Voice Phishing Scams To Avoid

Dark Web Social Security Number: What You Need to Know

Consumer Alerts

A freeze doesn’t affect your credit score, but it will block all legitimate credit applications (in addition to fraudulent ones) unless you turn it off. If your email was found on the Dark Web, you could be at risk of identity theft or fraud. One of the lesser known ways that scammers target you is by convincing your phone provider to send them a new best dark web search engines SIM for your account. Known as a “SIM swap,” this scam gives fraudsters full access to your phone number — which means all calls and texts go to them, including 2FA codes and password reset links. If you think or know your SSN was leaked to the Dark Web, you can take steps to minimize the damage and protect yourself from identity theft and fraud.

The dark web is a part of the internet that is intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard web browsers. It is often associated with illegal activities, including the sale of personal information such as social security numbers.

What is a Social Security Number?

By the time they are age 18, a fraudster could have racked up thousands of dollars in debt in their name. Javelin Strategy & Research recently reported that child identity theft costs U.S. families nearly $1 billion each year, not to mention the lost time and effort spent trying to clear their identities. MySocial Security is an online portal provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows users to monitor their Social Security benefits. If you have an account, check it from time to time to make sure your earnings history and contact information are correct. By the way, organizations like AARP suggest setting up an account to prevent a scammer from doing so in your name. Every one of your business accounts should have a unique, complex password.

• SIM swapping is when someone temporarily takes over your phone line using the same SIM swapping procedure that you’d use to activate a new phone.
• The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments.
• Depending on the severity of the identity theft, your bank may recommend freezing or closing the affected accounts to prevent further fraudulent activity.
• When Thibodeau called the agency, she discovered part of her son’s tax return was also taken.
• Having your data exposed on the dark web can be dangerous, but there are some steps you can take to stay safe.

A social security number (SSN) is a unique nine-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. The SSN is used to track individuals for tax purposes and to provide identification for social security benefits.

If your credit card number is stolen, your bank can issue a new one within days. If your passport or driver’s license is stolen, you can get a replacement issued with brand new numbers. Sontiq was formed in 2019, when EZShield, the leader in digital identity protection and resolution, acquired IdentityForce, the #1-rated identity theft protection provider for businesses and consumers. In March 2021, Sontiq acquired Cyberscout, the leading cyber products and services provider to the Insurance Industry. Dark web sites include online marketplaces for buying and selling illicit goods, and that includes personal information that can be used for identity theft, among other things. Our advanced monitoring technology goes beyond easily accessible sites and marketplaces, scanning private forums, the social web, the deep web, and the dark web to detect exposed information.

Avoid this scam’s frustrating legal and financial consequences and learn how to better protect your personal information from Social Security number identity theft. Imagine you open your mail to find a credit card bill with thousands of dollars of mysterious charges. Or you get a call from a lender threatening repossession of a luxury car that you don’t own. As alarming as these scenarios may seem, they are signs how to surf the dark web of a surprisingly common crime — identity theft. The SSNDOB scheme, which stands for social security number date of birth, impacted about 24 million people across the U.S., the Internal Revenue Service says. Fortunately, you can find out if your information is on the dark web and keep tabs on your sensitive information with extensive dark web monitoring, offered through McAfee’s Identity Protection services.

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

The best way to find out if your SSN has been leaked online is to check if your data was part of a data breach. Additionally, you may have received a data notification letter from a breached company, which should specify what how to go on the dark web type of information was involved. A Dark Web scanner searches the depths of the internet for your personal information. Scanners can tell you whether your credit card details, SSN, or passwords have been leaked or stolen.

Cybercriminals often obtain SSNs through data breaches, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. Once they have obtained a large number site du darknet of SSNs, they may sell them on the dark web to other criminals who can use them for identity theft, fraud, and other illegal activities.

What are the Risks of Having Your Social Security Number Sold on the Dark Web?

If your SSN is sold on the dark web, you may be at risk of identity theft, fraud, and other forms of financial crime. Criminals can use your SSN to open bank accounts, apply for credit cards, and file tax returns in your name. They can also use your SSN to obtain medical care, driver’s licenses, and other forms of identification.

How Can You Protect Your Social Security Number?

There are several steps you can take to protect your SSN and reduce the risk of it being sold on the dark web:

• Keep your SSN secure: Do not carry your social security card in your wallet or purse, and avoid giving out your SSN unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Monitor your credit: Regularly check your credit reports for any unusual activity, and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
• Use strong passwords:

  How do I know if my SSN is being used?

  Contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at 1-800-908-4490 or visit them online, if you believe someone is using your SSN to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes. Order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).

  Is it OK to send SSN by email?

  The better you protect your Social Security number, the less likely you are to fall victim to different types of identity theft. If you ever need to send your Social Security number or any other sensitive information, don’t send it through email. Instead, send it securely by using a password manager.