Cybersecurity expert Caitlin Sarian explains a breach of the National Public Data Network that exposed data on 2.9 billion people, including Social Security numbers, names, and addresses. She recommends freezing credit, monitoring accounts, and using identitytheft.gov for a recovery plan.
The Social Security numbers of almost every American could have been breached, as well as a total of 2.9 billion people were impacted by this breach. Hi, I'm Caitlin. I'm a cybersecurity and data protection expert, and I want to help you. Let's go. So what actually happened? Well, according to the news, a cyber criminal group US DoD breached the National Public Data Network. What is the National Public Data Network? It's a background checking services used by many businesses to check criminal records and run employee background checks. Data breach also included full names, current and past addresses for at least the last three. Three decades, Social Security numbers, and information about parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, etc. So what should you do if you think your Social Security number has been compromised? First, I would freeze your credit score and also monitor your accounts. The next best thing to do is go to identity theft.gov and fill out a form, and you will actually receive a personal recovery plan. Before we continue, if you're American or, you know Americans, be sure to share this with other American friends. Now, if it gets worse and the thief actually uses your Social Security number to get a job or owe taxes.
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