National Public Data (NPD) sources personally identifiable data from public and court records as well as other repositories to provide online background checks and fraud prevention services. The company confirmed several weeks ago that it suffered a data breach involving 2.9 billion records dating back at least three decades. According to a class action lawsuit filed by Schubert, Jonckheer & Kolber in early August, the data hack included millions of Social Security numbers (SSN) and other personal information like names, email addresses, and phone numbers. The leak allegedly occurred in April, around the same time the stolen information was put up for sale for $3.5 million by the cybercriminal group USDoD on the dark web.
Although NPD has been working with investigators to enforce more robust security measures, leaked Social Security numbers can be grossly misused by threat actors to file fake tax returns, make investments or apply for loans and credit cards in your name. The consequences can be unforeseen tax liabilities or outstanding debt in your credit profile. Furthermore, a poor credit score impacts your chances of securing loans, low-premium insurance policies, renting an apartment, and even securing a job. Identity theft cases are rapidly surging in the US as cybercriminals use increasingly sophisticated methods, including synthetic identity theft tactics, to steal personal information for financial fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) disclosed that over half a million identity theft cases were reported in the first half of this year, where credit card fraud was the most prevalent type.
