In a shocking data breach, National Public Data has confirmed that hackers stole sensitive information from its database, affecting billions of records. The stolen data includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and mailing addresses.
Though some media reports suggest 2.9 billion people were impacted, security experts say the breach may involve 2.7 billion rows of data, with only a fraction containing unique Social Security numbers.
With the data now circulating online, consumers are at heightened risk of identity theft. To protect yourself, National Public Data recommends placing a free fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts by contacting Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. These measures can prevent fraudsters from opening accounts or taking loans in your name.
While the breach has sparked concerns, the accuracy of the stolen data remains in question, with reports of inaccuracies and errors in the leaked archive. Nevertheless, taking proactive steps now can help you stay safe amid this massive data exposure.
