Massive Data Breach Exposes Social Security Numbers of Billions

Record Theft Includes Sensitive Personal Information

Hackers have breached a database and gained access to billions of Social Security numbers (SSNs), according to a recent lawsuit.

The hacking group, known as "USDoD," claims to have stolen 29 gigabytes of personal records, including names, addresses, birthdates, and SSNs.

How to Protect Yourself

If your SSN has been compromised, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself from identity theft. Here are some steps you should take:

• Contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) to report the breach and request a new SSN.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
• Monitor your credit reports and bank statements for any suspicious activity.

Impact of the Breach

The data breach, which includes SSNs and other sensitive information, is one of the largest in history. It is estimated that nearly 3 billion personal records were compromised.

The breach has already had a significant impact on individuals and businesses. Many people have reported fraudulent activity on their credit cards and bank accounts.

The breach is also a major concern for businesses. Many companies collect and store personal information on their customers. If a business experiences a data breach, it can be held liable for the damages caused to affected individuals.

Sources

• Greylock McKinnon Associates Data Breach Notification Letter
• 27 Billion Personal Records Leaked in Data Breach