04 Sep My Social Security number is on the dark web. What now?

Q. I have been notified that my and my husband’s Social Security numbers were found on the dark web. We already have a credit freeze on our credit file for all three agencies. Is this enough? It also recommended that we place a fraud alert on our credit file. Is this necessary?
— Concerned

A. You didn’t say how you were notified about the exposure of your Social Security numbers.

We just want to make sure the notification didn’t come from a scammer promising to fix your problems in an attempt to get your private information.

Many people have been concerned about the recent huge data hack — 2.9 billion people’s information — from the National Public Data breach. It said people’s names, email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses and Social Security numbers, information may have been exposed and could now be for sale on the dark web.

Two companies have created databases that people can use to see if their information is out there. We’re not vouching for them, but they’ve been widely recommended.

Atlas Privacy says it does not store any of the data you enter into its search tool at npdbreach.com.

Pentester, the other company, offers a database at npd.pentester.com. It warns that by searching on its tool, you agree to its terms of service and its privacy policy.

Turning to what you can do, freezing your credit reports is a huge step.

With a freeze, if a lender receives an application for credit in your name, the credit bureaus won’t hand over any of your information. Without your credit report, no lender will open an account in your name, so this foils a lot of potential scammers.

A fraud alert on your credit report is another step you can take. With a fraud alert, the lender would have to contact you to confirm you’re really the one who has applied for the credit.

Whether or not it’s necessary, well, it certainly can’t hurt.

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This story was originally published in September 2024.

NJMoneyHelp.com presents certain general financial planning principles and advice, but should never be viewed as a substitute for obtaining advice from a personal professional advisor who understands your unique individual circumstances.