National Public Data Breach Exposes Millions: Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

In September 2024, National Public Data confirmed that a massive data breach exposed the personal records of millions of individuals. This breach compromised sensitive information such as names, email addresses, mailing addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers of up to 2.9 billion people. Here’s what you need to know.

What Happened?

National Public Data, a consumer data broker that provides criminal records, background checks, and other data to private investigators, human resources agencies, and the government, was hacked. The breach is believed to have begun in December 2023 when a third-party hacker attempted to gain access.

In April 2024, a cybercriminal named "USDoD" posted the stolen data on a criminal forum. By August 6, this sensitive information was freely circulating on several breach forums, accessible to anyone.

Why Is This Breach Dangerous?

Although much of the data is publicly available, the real danger lies in the fact that the stolen information was consolidated in one place. This gives criminals an easy way to apply for credit, open new bank accounts, and bypass authentication processes using personal details like childhood street names or the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

Experts are warning of an increase in phishing and smishing attacks as criminals attempt to take advantage of this leaked information.

Can You Be Affected Even If You’ve Never Heard of National Public Data?

Yes! Even if you haven’t interacted with National Public Data, other organizations or businesses you’ve dealt with may have used their services to access your information.

What Should You Do to Protect Yourself?

1. Check If Your Data Has Been Exposed: Use tools like NPD Breach Checker to find out if your personal information has been compromised.
2. Freeze Your Credit: One of the best ways to protect your identity is by freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus – Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. This will prevent criminals from opening new lines of credit in your name. It’s a free process that takes just minutes.
3. Be Aware of Phishing Scams: Many criminals will try to use this leaked information to target you via phone calls, emails, texts, or social media messages. Be vigilant and cautious when dealing with unsolicited messages.

Take Action to Secure Your Business

A data breach is devastating for both individuals and businesses. If you’re a business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect your company’s data. If you want to assess your network security and ensure that none of your information has been compromised, we offer a FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment.

This assessment provides an in-depth look at your network vulnerabilities and offers a blueprint for securing your data.

Call us at 817-803-4603 or click here to schedule your FREE consultation today.