What is this breach about?

National Public Data, a background check company, announced publicly that it had been breached, exposing approximately 2.9 billion data records. The data includes Social Security numbers (SSN), names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. The data included 137 million unique email addresses and 272 million unique SSNs. It also found personal and business records and records of both living and deceased people.

Why is this important to me?

• Identity Theft: With your SSN and PII, cybercriminals can impersonate you, open credit accounts, take out loans, or even file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
• Financial Loss: Unauthorized transactions or new accounts could damage your credit score, leaving you responsible for debts you didn’t incur.
• Privacy Violation: Your personal life, including your address, phone number, and even family details, could be exposed, leading to a loss of privacy.
• Legal Consequences: Identity theft may lead to false criminal charges if your information is used for illegal purposes, which could result in a lengthy and stressful legal battle to clear your name.
• Loss of Employment Opportunities: If your credit report is damaged due to fraudulent activity, it could affect your ability to secure loans, housing, or even certain job opportunities that require credit checks.

How can I check if my information was exposed?

Visit credible sites like https://npdbreach.com/ and enter your details to see if your information was compromised in the National Public Data breach. As a best practice, please read the terms and conditions and privacy policy before providing personal information to a third party.

What can I do if my information was exposed?

• Monitor Your Accounts: Monitor your bank accounts, credit reports, and other financial statements for unusual activity.
• Place a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze: Consider placing a fraud alert or freezing your credit with major credit bureaus to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. Our Identity Theft page provides links to credit bureaus and other information.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice anything out of the ordinary, report it immediately to your financial institutions and credit bureaus.
• Change Your Passwords: Update passwords for your online accounts, especially if they might be related to the breached data. Never use the same passwords for any other account; always create a new password.

How to Prevent Future Exposures

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts by enabling MFA wherever possible.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid using the same password across multiple sites. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your credentials.
• Be Wary of Phishing Scams: Be cautious when opening emails or clicking on links from unknown sources. Cybercriminals often use phishing attacks to steal additional information.
• Regularly Monitor Your Credit Reports: By law, you’re entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus. Make use of this to stay informed.
• Educate Yourself on Data Privacy: Stay updated on best practices for data protection. Knowledge is your first line of defense.
• Stay Prepared: Monitor for any new breaches, close accounts/services that are no longer used or needed, and follow good cyber hygiene (https://www.hawaii.edu/infosec/resources-tips/personal-security-checklist/)

Additional Articles about the Breach

https://www.wired.com/story/national-public-data-breach-leak/
https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/16/24222112/data-breach-national-public-data-2-9-billion-ssn/