South Florida Company Sued Over Social Security Data Breach
A new lawsuit alleges that hackers have gained access to the personal information of billions of people, including their Social Security numbers, addresses, and family members’ names. This breach of personal data could potentially lead to financial fraud and identity theft.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed by California resident Christopher Hofmann, who was alerted by his identity theft protection service that his personal information had been compromised by “nationalpublicdata.com” and leaked to the dark web. The breach, which reportedly took place in April 2024, involved a hacker group known as USDoD stealing unencrypted personal information from a background check company called National Public Data (NPD).
Extent of the Data Breach
According to reports, the hacker claimed to have obtained 2.7 billion records, each containing a person’s full name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and phone number. While the exact number of affected individuals is unclear, it is believed that anyone with a Social Security number could be at risk.
Cliff Stadt, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, emphasized the widespread impact of the breach and the urgent need for individuals to protect themselves.
Response from National Public Data
National Public Data has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the breach. However, it is essential for affected individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their information.
In light of this incident, it is crucial for consumers to freeze their credit files, use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and stay vigilant against phishing scams. Additionally, individuals can consider using a monitoring service to track any appearances of their data on the dark web.
As Cliff Stadt highlighted, “You should assume you have been compromised and act accordingly” to protect your personal information and financial well-being.
