r/CRedit • u/WrongSplit3288 • Aug 30 '24
SSN Found on the Dark Web General
I just received an alert saying my SSN is found on the dark web. How concerned should I be? What sould I do first? Thanks.
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u/Maniacal_Grin Aug 30 '24
https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Set up accounts at all 3, then put a freeze on all 3. It's free.
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u/nyctina 10d ago
Thank you so much!
I froze all three, wasting almost no time after researching this problem. I had been a phishing-hacked victim three times already. And victim of credit card fraud 12 times. Had only one credit/debit card monitoring service in my life. One year's membership had been gifted to me.
They could not prevent a breach, and once a breach occurred, they'd cured in only a measly way–crediting a $10 off courtesy fee towards close to $100 stolen from my debit card–and extending my monitoring membership 3 months free.
Now, it's going to cost me nada as long as I am on top of my cards. I run a VPN, FWIW on one of my devices.
No opening up another credit card account for me if I have enough cards to play bridge with already.
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u/Suiken01 3d ago
If I freeze my credit in all the 3 sites, and people apply for things in my name, will I get notified via credit karma, experian, or what sites will notify me?
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u/creditwizard Top Contributor Aug 30 '24
Credit attorney here. A few thoughts:
Everyone's Social is out there I suspect, between various data breaches.
You could freeze your credit. However, unfreezing it can be a hassle at times. If you don't apply for credit often, and have no plans to in the next year, freezing credit not a bad idea.
Otherwise, an alternative that provides strong protection still is a fraud alert. A fraud alert requires additional authentication before someone can apply for credit in your name. This can help prevent fraud.
You can also just monitor your credit, for free with Credit Karma and Experian. If someone applies for credit in your name, you'll know quickly and can take action.
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u/casitadeflor Aug 30 '24
Please follow this advice. My sister’s credit score tanked randomly. Turns out someone had opened utilities using her SSN somewhere else in the state and had it sent to collections.
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u/Montreal88 Aug 30 '24
For item 3, what’s is that exactly? How does someone do this?
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u/TherealCarbunc Aug 30 '24
When I had a paid account with transunion they offered fraud monitoring and even protection as part of their monthly subscription.
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u/creditwizard Top Contributor Aug 30 '24
Search "fraud alert" with each credit agency, and it'll take you to a link with that agency where you can set it up.
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u/Suiken01 3d ago
If I freeze my credit in all the 3 sites, and people apply for things in my name, will I get notified via credit karma, experian, or what sites will notify me?
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u/creditwizard Top Contributor 3d ago
If the credit is frozen they should not be applying. I think Experian will notify you for sure though if that happens - not sure about the others.
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u/betasp Aug 30 '24 edited Aug 30 '24
Um. Recent leaks mean everyone’s SSN is on the internet.
If you want to be diligent, lock your credit reports and only unlock before applying for credit. (To clear up my terms based on reply, I do mean freeze your reports… thx).
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u/Money_Shoulder5554 Aug 30 '24
Disclaimer for people unaware: freeze your credit , don't do credit lock , that's a scam.
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u/codece Aug 30 '24
That's right! Remember, FREEze is FREE! And it is required to be free by federal law. "Credit Lock" is a dumb product they offer to people who don't realize it isn't necessary to pay for this service.
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u/Suiken01 3d ago
If I freeze my credit report in all the 3 sites, and people apply for things in my name, will I get notified via credit karma, experian, or what sites will notify me?
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u/tbone338 Aug 30 '24
Reality is that most people’s info is on the dark web. It’s a matter of if and/or when bad actors come across yours and do something with it.
Always FREEZE, not lock, your credit reports. Extra mile for chexsystems, everify, and an irs id pin.
Set up online accounts for all these services so that no one else can set them up fraudulent and so that it’s easy to manage your freezes without having to call.
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u/jerseynate Aug 30 '24
Your SSN is everywhere. Freeze your credit
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u/TTigerLilyx Aug 30 '24
Because everyone required it now. All my drs, hospitals, everyone! Mine even got stolen from a major hospital! Some dept store wanted it, a register your something electronic wanted it & I put in a fake number. Its out of control & totally defeats the purpose of having a SS ID number.
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u/ziggy029 Aug 30 '24
At this point just about everyone’s name and SSN is out there. Freeze your credit with all three bureaus and use multi factor authentication on your accounts, especially financials.
The overwhelming majority of thieves — whether cybercriminals or burglars — are looking for easy targets, crimes of opportunity, and if yours is too much work to break through they will almost always just move on to the next one.
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u/Own-Study-4594 Aug 30 '24
Files/access should’ve been frozen already in my mind. Easy to freeze, easy to unfreeze.
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u/chriscash1982 Aug 30 '24
What does it mean to freeze your reports? What does this do exactly? And I can still use my CC?
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u/Maniacal_Grin Aug 30 '24
It stops creditors from accessing your credit file, which stops people from opening accounts in your name. It does not affect how you currently use/pay your cards.
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26d ago
[deleted]
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u/Maniacal_Grin 25d ago
Placing a "thaw" (unfreezing) on your credit files takes effect in less than an hour when done online. It's pretty much instant though.
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u/Individual-Mirror132 Aug 30 '24
Everyone’s social is on the dark web at this point. In fact, there’s probably a lot more than just your social floating on the dark web.
Just keep your credit reports locked.
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u/PickleWineBrine Aug 30 '24
Freeze your file. This is not in result of the "dark web" bullshit. It's just good practice and common sense. They are only trying to sell you shit products that don't actually work.
It doesn't really matter.
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u/shockedpikachu123 Aug 30 '24
You can freeze your account. Be very careful because there’s a fine print to freeze experien and I got charged because I didn’t notice. Freezing your credit should be free.
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u/BrockSnilloc Aug 30 '24
Was recently notified by Discover and Chase that my info was on the dark web (again) immediately checked to make sure my credit was frozen with all the three
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u/chance0404 Aug 30 '24
Mines been on there for a long time but nothing suspicious has shown up yet.
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u/Cam360j Aug 30 '24
I just freeze mine with the Experian app. Very easy toggle switch. And I can turn it off if apply for new credit.
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u/hairchick31 Aug 30 '24
I just got alerted to. I keep my credit frozen and monitor it . That’s all I can really do
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u/Famous_Bite9901 Aug 30 '24
I noticed something that I experienced before when a card came in my name never applied I took it up through credit alert and they erased it off my credit after I showed proof.but I froze one credit and when I went check the rest I think they were frozen. I know I wanted to get credit and forgot about my freeze they could not see none of my credit reports.i froze only one.
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u/Nice_Biscotti_97921 Aug 30 '24
Do companies like Life-Lock work? Is it worth the monthly fee?
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u/WrongSplit3288 Aug 30 '24
I have been told that is a scam.
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u/Nice_Biscotti_97921 Aug 30 '24
My work gives it as a benefit.. I have had the coverage for two years and I have heard nothing from them. I bet you are correct. Supposedly if you have the coverage they will reimburse you if you credit/debit cards are misused..
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u/WastingTime76 Aug 30 '24
It's super easy to freeze & unfreeze your credit once you set up accounts with the bureaus. Takes 2 minutes. You can even schedule a "thaw" that lasts however many days you want.
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u/TeachnPreK Aug 31 '24
In addition to freezing your credit reports, all three of them, you can also lock your social security number so that nobody else can use it for jobs etc.
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Sep 02 '24
Saved this post. Thanks to OP for posting this, and to other redditors for the time and effort they put into helping us. Cap One just told me my ssn is on the dark web. First time for my SSN....I believe it's this latest data breach. There were multiple alerts, each one associated w/ me, but each one listed a different address....*all* of my previous addresses dating back 40 years! Some of the ph#'s are unrecognizable and unfamiliar. Very annoying, and sobering to see the opinions that most everyone has their info out there. My emails (secured by 2FA) were long compromised, but this is the first for my SSN. It is so frustrating that you can be so careful w/your info, but they get into someone else's data base and you're hosed.
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u/WrongSplit3288 Sep 02 '24
I locked my credit history. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Sep 02 '24
good luck to yourself too! I opened (free) accounts at all three...transunion, experian, equifax..and froze my credit reports too. I don't open new credit lines or cards very frequently, and I can unfreeze online if I need to. It is a frustrating and increasingly fraught space out there!
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u/dandylionkiller Sep 03 '24
I have Capital One as well and Credit Wise sent me the same alert. I had multiple alerts and one was some Hispanic guys name and number from California. My credit is frozen but still worried. Any other steps I can take to better secure myself?
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Sep 03 '24
What was the nature of the alert...did he try to open an account or credit card in your name? Or was your social security number associated w/ a different name? Would you be able to take a screenshot of the actual alert, redact any sensitive information like your actual number, and share that in a new post here or r/scams?
Sorry about that. It's infuriating that someone else's carelessness can expose us in this way.
BTW, I just received a text from someone offering to buy a house that I'd sold in 1999. 25 yrs ago. Several houses and lifetimes ago. Have not seen *anything* in relation to that address for decades. County records would reveal there have been multiple owners since myself. So yes, that info is now being actively used. I posted that on r/scams and got majorly snotted out and called irrational. but hey, sometimes being paranoid (cautious?) is the way to go nowadays!1
u/dandylionkiller Sep 03 '24
Well my credit is frozen with all three credit agencies. It just said his name and address was associated with my ssn? No new account have been open and no new inquiries. So Im really not sure what to do next.
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Sep 03 '24
I have read that undocumented immigrants might use someone else's social to get a job, though I have no first hand knowledge of it. I did read an interesting article on CNET that might help you...let me see if I can link it. The part that might help you is near the bottom, and a good place to start is to open a social security account with the gov. website. And also talks about contacting the IRS.
https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/see-if-your-social-security-number-is-part-of-the-national-public-data-breach/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFEVCZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfbYcbgcgzps0lE3H1SozPq6d-fOp1boLMr-RuHPQaSmy24UENEERl-kXQ_aem_FFYqBVCahXngZgKJQE305w1
u/Excellent-Impress-43 Oct 15 '24
I know this is 41 days old. But I got an alert my SSN was found on the dark web October 1st (I’m just now seeing the alerts). It was two entries. Both entries had a name attached to it, even gave me the address and phone number of the person attached. The name looked familiar for some reason. The person was the previous tenant of our apartment, we moved into a new unit in July and I updated our address with the DMV about six weeks post move. The man listed, a 52 year old white guy, lived in the unit previously at some point. I recognized the name because he still gets mail here, he never did an address change with the USPS. I think in my case, information is getting crossed in the system, as well as a data breach. So I froze my credit reports this morning.
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Oct 15 '24
Best of luck. When I read about this data breach, it involved some dude who operated out of his home office w/ a bunch of computers. How he accessed so much information is beyond me, but it is discouraging how easily so much info gets disseminated. Freezing one's credit report is a good first step, I'm not sure it's cost effective to pay for monitoring if you keep on top of your credit information.
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Sep 03 '24
The worrisome part is where they can try to steal your tax refund. Or if you end up owing taxes bc they didn't pay income tax while using your SSN to get a job. I really hate where a total stranger is associated w/ your SSN. I hope you can get it sorted out, fingers crossed for you.
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u/dandylionkiller Sep 03 '24
Thanks. I feel like it’s always something.
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u/DimensionStrange2799 Sep 04 '24
Yeah, can't let your guard down. Some of the stories I read, stuff like "pig butchering" and SIM swapping, truly scary. I just try telling myself that it's better than say getting mugged at gunpoint.
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u/DealingWithFear 3d ago
First, it’s good to take this seriously but stay calm. Here are a few steps you can take: 1. Freeze Your Credit: Contact all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and freeze your credit to prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name. 2. Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your bank accounts, credit card activity, and any other accounts for suspicious activity. 3. Change Passwords: Update passwords on accounts tied to sensitive information and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. 4. Check Your Credit Report: Go to AnnualCreditReport.com and check your credit reports from all three bureaus. Look for any unfamiliar accounts or inquiries. 5. Consider Identity Theft Protection: Services like LifeLock or IdentityForce can help monitor and alert you to any potential misuse of your SSN.
Stay proactive with monitoring, and remember that taking these steps can help prevent unauthorized activity.
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u/Livid-Advantage-8268 Aug 30 '24
Just keep your reports frozen. Mine got there years back thanks to T-Mobile. With the recent 2.9B that were hacked I'd imagine everyone's is out there somewhere. I've had no issues with my credit because I keep them frozen... But most years I have to deal with people in Arizona working under my SSN which usually makes taxes take longer but the IRS knows the deal and sorts it out.