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How do I know if I’m on the dark web?
To check if your information is on the dark web, you can use IdentityIQ identity theft protection services. All you need to do is enter the information you want scanned for on the dark web and IdentityIQ services does the rest.
This prevents unauthorized users from accessing your personal information and ensures that only you are allowed to access your vault. Sign up for a free trial of Keeper Password Manager to protect your Social Security number online. Cybercriminals can browse, sell, or trade on dark websites with confidence and complete anonymity. Because of its highly layered encryption system, hackers can communicate without giving away their location, IP address, or identity. Fortunately, you can find out if your information is on the dark web and keep tabs on your sensitive information with extensive dark web monitoring, offered through McAfee’s Identity Protection services. If someone has managed to steal your Social Security number or other identifying information, they may try to sell it on the dark web to someone who wants to use it to commit fraud.
Step-by-step Guide On Buying An SSN On The Dark Web
In recent years, the dark web has become a hotbed for criminal activity, including the sale of sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers (SSNs). This can be a cause for concern for anyone who values their privacy and security, as a stolen SSN can be used for identity theft, fraud, and other nefarious purposes.
What is the Dark Web?
Best Identity Theft Protection Services With Dark Web Monitoring
The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and is only accessible through special software, such as the Tor browser. It is often used for illegal activities, including the sale of drugs, weapons, and stolen personal information.
How is the Dark Web Used to Sell SSNs?
Cybercriminals often steal SSNs through data breaches, phishing scams, and other forms of cybercrime. Once they have obtained a large number of SSNs, they will often sell them on the dark web to other criminals who may use them for identity theft or other forms of fraud.
Steps To Take If You Suspect Your SSN Is On The Dark Web
How Can You Protect Your SSN from Being Sold on the Dark Web?
There are several steps you can take to protect your SSN from being sold on the dark web:
- Never give out your SSN unless it is necessary and you are sure the request is legitimate.
- Keep your SSN in a safe and secure place, such as a locked safe or a password-protected digital file.
- Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
- Consider signing up for a credit monitoring service, which can alert you to any unauthorized use of your SSN.
- Consider freezing your credit, which will prevent anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name.
In the context of our programs, fraud exists when a person fails to disclose a material fact for use in getting benefits and payments. Information is “material” when it could influence our determination on entitlement or eligibility to benefits under the Social Security Act. Sources tell the I-Team former employees are calling city hall upset because they still have heard nothing. At random, we called more than three dozen victims with leaked SSN – but not one person was notified beforehand from the city.
Review Your Credit Reports To Spot ID Theft
What Should You Do if Your SSN is Sold on the Dark Web?
If you suspect that your SSN has been sold on the dark web, you should take the following steps:
- Contact the credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- Consider freezing your credit to prevent further damage.
- Contact the Social Security Administration to report the theft and request a new SSN.
- File a police report and contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the identity theft.
- Consider working with a credit repair agency to help you restore your credit and repair any damage caused by the identity theft.
These malicious parties use phishing, scamming, and hacking techniques to access your personal, sensitive, and financial information. You don’t need to access the dark web to determine if your SSN was stolen and published there. There are safer methods you can follow, such as reviewing your credit accounts, mySocialSecurity account, taxes, and benefits claims. You can’t prevent all breaches, but you can take steps for sources you do control.
Once you change your password to a strong and unique alternative, it will no longer show as high-risk. By now, you’re probably wondering if your own personal information is floating somewhere on the dark web. It’s highly likely that a password, email address, or some other personal item has been stolen or accessed at some point, which is why it’s more important than ever to protect yourself.
FAQs
Q: Is it illegal to access the dark web?
A: No, it is not illegal to access the dark web. However, many activities that take place on the dark web are illegal, and accessing it can put you at risk of coming into contact with criminal content.
Q: How can I tell if my SSN has been sold on the dark web?
A: You may notice suspicious activity on your credit reports, such as new accounts being opened in your name, or you may receive calls or letters from debt collectors about debts you do not recognize.
- If a wire transfer is requested of you via email, call a trusted telephone number for the payee’s institution to check the legitimacy of the wiring instructions before you send any cash.
- This account is also a good way to monitor if someone with your Social Security number has filed for benefits in your name.
- If you’ve found out or fear that your SSN has been compromised and ended up on the dark web, there are some steps you can take to ensure your safety.
- Also, keep in mind that there isn’t a way to remove your SSN or any other personal information from the dark web once it exists there.
Q: Can I get my SSN back if it has been sold on the dark web?
A: No, once your SSN has been sold on the dark web, it cannot be retrieved. However, you can take steps to protect yourself from further damage, such as freezing your credit and contacting the credit bureaus and Social Security Administration.
Can I change my SSN online?
To change your Social Security number, you'll need to: Contact your local Social Security office. Schedule an in-person appointment to apply for a new number. Gather all the necessary documents, which must be original or certified copies.
