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Hackers sell stolen SSNs on the Dark Web for as little as $2. Here’s what to do if your Social Security number was found on the Dark Web.
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Allison Fanney was fresh out of grad school when she was hit with an unexpected IRS bill for $14,900 in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest.
Confused and scared, she started investigating. Eventually, Allison discovered that someone had used her Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent tax return – a crime that took nearly eight months for Allison to resolve [*].
According to many cybersecurity experts, it’s safe to assume that almost every American’s SSN has been compromised at least once [*] — with the majority of them turning up for sale on the Dark Web.
Using your SSN, scammers can easily open new accounts, claim Social Security benefits in your name, or steal your identity.
In this article, we’ll explain how your information ends up on the Dark Web, how to know if your SSN has been compromised, and what you can do to protect yourself online.
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The Dark Web is a small part of the web that isn’t indexed, meaning that it can’t be accessed by normal search engines. Instead, it can only be accessed with special browsers like Tor.
Because of its anonymity, the Dark Web is commonly used by hackers and scammers to trade and sell personally identifiable information (PII) — such as SSNs or login credentials — acquired through cybercrime.
For example, last year, hackers breached T-Mobile's databases and stole sensitive information on more than 47 million customers [*]. The stolen data included names, SSNs, and driver’s licenses — more than enough for scammers to commit identity theft, fraud, and further scams.
Other recent data breaches have affected millions of Americans who use services like Facebook, Capital One, and American Airlines [*].
With your information in hand, criminals can:
📚 Related: Deep Web vs. Dark Web — What You Need To Know →
Unfortunately, it’s virtually impossible to remove your SSN or other information from the Dark Web once it’s been put up for sale.
Stolen data is stored on unregulated marketplaces, out of the reach of authorities. Even if the data is taken down from one site, cybercriminals can simply re-upload it elsewhere. Therefore, you need to be proactive about knowing what information has been compromised and then secure your digital identity from scammers.
If your SSN was found on the Dark Web, you need to act quickly to mitigate the potential danger. Here’s what you should do:
A Dark Web scanner searches the depths of the internet for your personal information. Scanners can tell you whether your credit card details, SSN, or passwords have been leaked or stolen.
Here are three powerful (and free) Dark Web scanners you can use right now:
Unfortunately, free Dark Web scanners are often limited in what they can find (and don’t constantly monitor the Dark Web for your information).
Instead, a Dark Web monitoring service like Aura periodically scans Dark Web forums and websites for your personal information and then sends you notifications whenever anything suspicious is detected.
You can sign up for a free 14-day trial of Aura and start monitoring the Dark Web for your sensitive information right now.
📚 Related: How To Find Out If Your Information Is on the Dark Web →
Freezing or locking your credit accounts helps ensure that hackers cannot open accounts in your name — even if they have all of your credentials.
Credit locks are instantaneous, but require enrollment in a paid program with one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. (You can instantly lock your Experian credit file with one click using Aura’s mobile or web app, which is included with every Aura plan.)
You can also request a credit freeze from any of the major bureaus, but it may take up to 24 hours to take effect — a risk that you may not want to take. A freeze doesn’t affect your credit score, but it will block all legitimate credit applications (in addition to fraudulent ones) unless you turn it off.
Your passwords are the first line of defense against cybercriminals — and the last line, too, without two-factor authentication (2FA). To protect yourself, you need to make sure your passphrases are as impenetrable as possible.
If your SSN or other personal information has been discovered on the Dark Web, you need to monitor your finances to ensure your identity isn't stolen.
📚 Related: What To Do If Your Email is Found on the Dark Web →
The Department of Homeland Security offers a self-lock feature known as E-Verify. This enables you to “lock” your SSN and block any electronic access attempts.
E-Verify is primarily used to prevent employment-related identity theft. By locking your SSN, you prevent criminals from using your identity to gain employment, commit insurance fraud, and further steal your identity.
To sign up for E-Verify, create a myE-Verify account. Then, follow the instructions to prove your identity. Once your account is up and running, you can freeze your SSN by opening your dashboard, clicking on “Manage My SSN” and then “Lock My SSN.”
Set your challenge questions (so that you can unlock your SSN later), and click on “Lock My SSN” once more.
📚 Related: How To Check If Someone Is Using Your SSN →
If you’re a victim of fraud, it’s vital that you report the crime to the relevant agencies. By reporting fraud, you help to protect yourself and others from further damages.
It’s especially important to complete a fraud report if you are going to dispute fraudulent charges; otherwise, there’s no proof of your being a victim.
There are three authorities to which you need to report the crime:
To avoid falling victim to scammers, hackers, and fraudsters, you need proactive protection. An all-in-one digital security solution like Aura can monitor your accounts, alert you of suspicious activity, and help protect you against cyberattacks.
There are several warning signs that indicate scammers are using your SSN illegally. To make sure you’re safe, investigate the following:
📚 Related: 14 Hidden Dangers of Identity Theft That Can Ruin Your Life →
Unfortunately, there are only specific situations in which you can change your SSN. Even if you’ve had your SSN stolen, it doesn’t mean you can get a new one.
Furthermore, changing your SSN can cause problems with your earnings history and credit report, making it more difficult to apply for legal documents, passports, and loans.
In most cases, you’re better off dealing with the fallout of SSN theft than trying to get a new SSN.
Since it’s almost impossible to remove data once it’s been leaked to the Dark Web, prevention is the best way to protect yourself. Take these critical steps to ensure that you keep your personal information private:
Scammers will do everything in their power to gain access to your accounts, and your Social Security number is one of their favorite targets.
Sign up for Aura and be alerted in near real-time if someone uses your SSN or if any unauthorized activity is detected on your financial accounts.