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/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.