Was your SSN found on the dark web? Here’s what you need to do

How can you find out if your SSN is on the dark web?

Social Security numbers are highly valuable because they are tied to individuals and used by institutions that access and handle sensitive personal information. As such, companies handling SSN-related information are frequently targeted by cybercriminals. The stolen data is then used as ransom or sold to the highest bidder on the dark web — the unindexed part of the internet where unlawful activity thrives.

If you’ve been affected by a data breach incident, you can learn to recognize the telltale signs that your SSN is on the dark web:

• Increased spam. Spam isn’t always indicative of an SSN breach and might instead be related to third parties selling your contact details. However, if you’re getting more spam calls and emails than usual, it may be because someone has acquired your SSN alongside your personal information.

• Suspicious banking activity. You need an SSN to open credit cards and bank accounts. If you’re seeing transactions you know you did not authorize, chances are someone committed identity theft.

• Suspicious medical insurance usage. Similar to banking fraud, a stolen SSN may be used to exploit medical insurance and illegally gain funds.

• Physical mail addressed to you. If you start receiving letters in your mailbox regarding services, purchases, loans, or other information you allegedly requested, someone may be fraudulently using your personal data.

• Alerts from organizations regarding recent data breaches. If your SSN has been compromised and is on the dark web, the breached organization must inform you about the impact and tell you how to proceed.

• Notices from the IRS. If the IRS detects any irregularities in your financial records, it may issue a notice through its official system. If you suspect these irregularities are caused by fraudulent activities like identity theft, contact the IRS directly. Keep in mind that cybercriminals may spoof IRS communication, so make sure the notice comes from official channels only.

You can also learn if your SSN is on the dark web yourself. However, navigating the dark web requires some technical knowledge and software like the Tor browser. Alternatively, you can use breach monitors to inform you what personal information, like your phone number or email address, has appeared on the darknet without needing to access it yourself.

Should you be worried if you learn your SSN is on the dark web?

The short answer is yes. If your Social Security number has been breached, it opens the gateway to accessing other personal information related to you. Your phone number, email address, place of residence, credit and debit card information — anything is (un)fair play.

Identity theft

Stolen Social Security numbers are frequently used for identity theft. Since each number is unique and changing it is a lengthy process, it provides ample opportunity for criminals to take advantage of the affected individuals’ personal information. Due to their nature, most crimes committed using a stolen SSN fall under identity theft.

Financial fraud

Social security information is often used for financial fraud, particularly related to insurance and credit cards. Suspicious banking activity is one of the first signs that something might be up. Cybercriminals can use your personal information to take out loans in your name, claim your tax returns, or open new credit cards. Since they obfuscate their activities using your name, this digital footprint would be tracked to you.

Employment fraud

Your name and Social Security number can be used for illegal employment schemes. Criminals may use your personal details to apply for jobs, which could prevent you from claiming employee benefits in the future.

Medical identity theft

Criminals can use stolen Social Security numbers to submit false health insurance claims, illegally obtain medical insurance funds, or steal prescription medication. Medical identity theft makes it difficult for affected parties to receive healthcare, claim payouts, or sign up for new medical services.

Legal ramifications

It’s essential to report a compromised SSN to the IRS immediately. Otherwise, you may be held liable for all criminal activity that took place with your Social Security number in use. Ramifications range from debt collections and financial fines to arrest warrants and criminal records in connection to the person whose personal information was misused.

Long-term exposure

The IRS doesn’t make it easy for you to recover your SSN even if you have solid proof that it was compromised. It’s good for the system because it prevents attempts to abuse Social Security by issuing multiple SSNs after alleged fraud, but it doesn’t make it easy for you to protect your sensitive information.

If you discover your SSN on the dark web, your other sensitive data might have been breached, too. If the breach goes unnoticed, passwords to your personal accounts may be compromised. Your phone number and email address can also be used in spoofing attacks. Overall, the impact of an SSN-related data breach can widely affect your personal data and carry long-lasting consequences while you work your way up to updating and protecting your identity.

Can you remove your SSN from the dark web?

Removing your SSN from the dark web is a herculean task. It’s unlikely that criminals will care to remove one data point from a single user request – even if you were able to find a way to contact them. Personal information is more valuable when it comes in large datasets, and hackers are more likely to use it as ransom to obtain money from breached companies. The best chance to remove your SSN from the dark web is to get law enforcement involved, such as the FBI or the FTC, but even that is not a guaranteed solution.

If you can’t remove your Social Security number, redirect your efforts to deleting other compromised information. Remember, if your SSN has been breached, so has other personal information. Update all your passwords, especially those you use for government, financial, and medical portals. This will help protect your accounts from being compromised and other personal information from getting into the wrong hands.

What to do if your SSN is on the dark web

Although you might not be able to remove your SSN from the dark web yourself, you can still take action to protect your personal data from being misused by cybercriminals.

1. Contact the Social Security Administration

   Your first course of action after finding out about an SSN-related data breach is to inform the Social Security Administration and ask your bank or credit card companies to freeze   your credit. This ensures that unauthorized parties can’t take out new cards or loans or make payments. If you request to change your SSN and your request is successful, it will be harder for scammers to utilize your data. However, keep in mind that some of your records will still be tied to your old SSN, so stay vigilant about suspicious activity in the future.

2. Alert the authorities

   Although it’s up to the breached corporations to inform their clients about instances of data compromise, being proactive and reporting yourself as a victim of a data breach will ensure that this incident is logged by law enforcement. That way, if any suspicious activity in your name is detected, you have viable proof of reported identity theft.

   In addition, inform all organizations that have processed your Social Security number that it’s been leaked. This will help create a paper trail for law enforcement and can prevent fraudulent activity on related websites and services. Keep a close eye on accounts that may be compromised, especially those related to your finances, in case someone tries to make  changes or requests in your name.

3. Check the dark web

   If you have strong conviction that your data was compromised, you can try checking breach databases yourself. Don’t worry – it doesn’t take dark web expertise. You can use the Data Breach Scanner to see if your credentials, like your email address or credit card details, have been compromised. Although you can’t check if your SSN was breached specifically, the breach report can help you understand the potential scope of stolen data.

4. Update your passwords

   It’s good practice to update your passwords following a SSN breach, since chances are high your account information was also compromised. Ensure your new passwords are unique and uncrackable – you can follow our guide with the top tips for creating a strong password. Alternatively, keep things quick and easy with the NordPass Password Generator, which creates resilient passwords and stores them in a securely encrypted vault with just a few clicks.

5. Set up stronger account protection

   Add multi-factor protection to your accounts or switch to passkeys. That way, even if scammers try to take over your accounts, they won’t be able to breach them without your two-factor code or biometric information. To keep your phone secure, consider temporarily locking your SIM or changing the number.

Can you prevent your SSN from ending up on the dark web?

Unfortunately, keeping your SSN off of the dark web may be out of your control. Cybercriminals are more likely to target big organizations than specific individuals, and if those organizations’ defenses fail, there’s not much you can do as a client. However, you can still take measures to minimize the impact of your SSN or other sensitive information being compromised.

• Focus on your key contact details: email address, phone numbers, banking information, and passwords. Protecting these four pieces of information will help reduce risks related to SSN breaches.

• Regularly check your credit card activity logs and your credit score for any unusual behavior.

• Track your Social Security number on the governmental My Social Security platform.

• Reduce your digital footprint by limiting the information you share on social media and other personal accounts.

• Use the NordPass password manager to create and store your passwords, passkeys, credit card details, and other sensitive personal information.

• Switch on two-factor authentication for an extra security layer.

• Set up an email mask to keep your inbox from spam and social engineering attacks.

• Connect to the internet using a VPN to keep your browsing activity, identity, and location private. Choose from the best VPN platforms – using Reddit reviews to help – to ensure your network stays secure from unauthorized access.

• Keep your apps up to date and use antivirus software regularly to check if your computer has been compromised.

Although finding your SSN on the dark web can be scary, it’s not the end of the world. As long as you stay vigilant, take quick action, and keep your personal information secure, you can reduce threats to a minimum. NordPass is here to help keep your sensitive information safe and out of the wrong hands.

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