A data breach at National Public Data, a Florida-based company that collects personal information for background checks, may have compromised sensitive information for millions of Americans, including Social Security numbers, leading to potential identity theft. The breach, which occurred in late December 2023, was acknowledged by the company in a recent “Security Incident” notice on its website. The hacking group USDoD claimed to have stolen personal records of 2.9 billion people from National Public Data and offered to sell the data for $3.5 million. The breach also included email addresses, making it easier for identity thieves to target individuals with phishing attacks.
National Public Data advised individuals to check their financial accounts for unauthorized activity, place fraud alerts on their accounts, and freeze their credit files at the major credit bureaus to prevent criminals from using their information for financial gain. Despite the breach, the company has only notified individuals through a page on its website, urging them to take precautions to minimize potential harm. Security experts recommend using two-factor authentication for online accounts and staying informed about the breach and ways to protect oneself.
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