Massive Data Breach Exposes Americans’ Personal Info

A new lawsuit is raising alarms about a major data breach that may have compromised the personal information of billions of people. This includes sensitive data like Social Security numbers and home addresses, potentially allowing thieves to steal identities and commit fraud.

The lawsuit was filed by Christopher Hofmann, who lives in California. He reported that his identity protection service informed him that his personal information had been leaked onto the dark web due to a breach involving a company called National Public Data (NPD).

According to the lawsuit, the breach happened around April 2024, when a hacker group known as USDoD allegedly stole unencrypted personal data from NPD, which specializes in background checks. Just recently, a hacker even shared some of this stolen information for free on a hacking forum.

This stolen data supposedly includes around 2.7 billion records containing full names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details. Interestingly, despite the gravity of the situation, NPD has not yet issued any warnings to those affected, leaving many unaware of the risks.

The lawsuit claims that most people whose data was compromised remain in the dark about the potential dangers of identity theft and financial harm. It’s worth noting that security experts have yet to see filings with state attorney generals regarding this breach.

Experts recommend that individuals place freezes on their credit files with major credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to prevent fraudulent activities. Freezing your credit is a straightforward process and can help secure your finances from bad actors.

Aimee Picchi, who covers business and personal finance, has reported on this issue extensively.

In the meantime, Senator Rick Scott is calling for accountability from the Biden-Harris administration regarding this breach. He expressed concerns over not only the timing of the breach’s disclosure but also the need for a substantial response to safeguard citizens’ information from future incidents.