Your Social Security number is one of your most sensitive pieces of personal information. Unfortunately, it can end up in the hands of criminals if you‘re not careful.
The dark web is a hidden part of the internet that requires special software to access. Criminals use the dark web to buy and sell personal information illegally. This includes Social Security numbers that can be used to steal someone‘s identity.
If your Social Security number is on the dark web, you‘re at serious risk for identity theft. In this guide, I‘ll explain how to find out if your number is there and what to do next.
Contents
- How Social Security Numbers Get on the Dark Web
- Signs Your Social Security Number Is on the Dark Web
- Checking the Dark Web for Your Social Security Number
- What to Do If Your Social Security Number Is on the Dark Web
- How to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you get your SSN removed from the dark web?
- Is a stolen SSN sold for a high price on the dark web?
- If my email was hacked, could my SSN be for sale on the dark web?
- Can someone completely steal your identity with just your SSN?
- What are signs that someone has already stolen your identity using your SSN?
- Don‘t Panic If Your SSN Lands on the Dark Web
How Social Security Numbers Get on the Dark Web
Social Security numbers end up on the dark web when companies that have your personal information suffer a data breach. Hackers steal the data and sell it on dark web marketplaces.
Here are some common ways Social Security numbers reach criminals:
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Malware or hacking: Cybercriminals directly hack into a company‘s systems and steal data. Or they use malware to infect devices and harvest info.
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Third-party breaches: Companies you do business with suffer breaches exposing your SSN. For example, credit bureaus, banks, insurers, or even schools can get hacked.
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Insider threats: Company employees intentionally or accidentally expose private data. Disgruntled staff sometimes steal records containing SSNs.
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Physical records: Paper files containing SSNs get lost, stolen from offices, or improperly disposed of. Dumpster diving criminals search trash for records.
Once stolen, Social Security numbers quickly end up for sale on dark web marketplaces alongside other personal information.
Signs Your Social Security Number Is on the Dark Web
How do you know if your SSN might be on the dark web? Here are some warning signs:
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You get breach notification letters from companies saying your info was exposed.
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You notice suspicious activity on your credit reports or accounts. This could indicate fraud.
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You receive emails or calls about accounts you didn‘t open. Criminals have your info and try using it.
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Your tax refund gets rejected because a scammer already filed taxes in your name.
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You‘re unable to open new accounts because your identity is frozen due to suspected fraud.
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Debt collectors contact you about loans or credit cards you never had.
If you see any of these red flags, it‘s possible your SSN leaked in a data breach and is now being sold on the black market.
Checking the Dark Web for Your Social Security Number
If you suspect your SSN is on the dark web, how do you check? Here are a few options:
Use Dark Web Monitoring Services
Rather than accessing the dark web yourself, use a service that monitors it for you.
Many credit monitoring and identity theft protection services like LifeLock include dark web monitoring. For a monthly fee, they proactively scan black market sites and warn you if your info appears.
You can also buy standalone dark web monitoring from companies like IDX. They only focus on dark web searches rather than the full credit monitoring services offer.
Check with Credit Bureaus
The three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—offer dark web scanning tools you can use to check for your personal info.
For example, Experian‘s Dark Web Scan searches for your email address associated with any stolen data. You can sign up for free scans or monitoring as part of a paid service.
Use Free Scanning Tools
You can find various free dark web scanning tools online. For example, the FTC offers the ftc.gov/Scan tool to check if your email appears in known data breaches.
Keep in mind free scans might not be as comprehensive as paid services. But they‘re a good starting point to get an idea if your info could be out there.
Access the Dark Web Yourself
You can download Tor browser and anonymously access dark web marketplaces directly. But this isn‘t recommended since it can be dangerous exposing yourself to criminals.
Also, searching the vast dark web yourself would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Leave it to professionals with sophisticated scanning tools.
What to Do If Your Social Security Number Is on the Dark Web
Discovering your SSN on the dark web is alarming. But you‘re not powerless—there are important steps you can take to protect yourself:
Place a Fraud Alert
Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place an initial 90-day fraud alert on your credit file. This makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.
You only need to contact one bureau and they will notify the other two. Extended 7-year fraud alerts are also available if you file an identity theft report.
Freeze Your Credit
Freezing your credit with the bureaus blocks new accounts from being opened in your name. It‘s the single most effective thing you can do if your SSN was exposed.
You‘ll have to temporarily unfreeze credit if you want to apply for new accounts. But freezing is free and prevents criminals from using your info.
Review Your Credit Reports
Get your free annual credit reports from annualcreditreport.com. Scrutinize them for any unknown accounts or activity. Dispute any errors with the bureaus.
Ongoing credit monitoring can alert you to new issues as they arise after you review your initial reports.
Watch Your Bank Accounts
Closely monitor bank and credit card statements for fraudulent charges. Dispute unauthorized activity immediately.
Consider asking your bank for new account numbers so existing ones aren‘t compromised. Enable text or email alerts on all accounts for suspicious activity notifications.
File Your Taxes Early
File your tax return as soon as possible before a scammer tries submitting one in your name. The IRS will reject duplicate filings.
Notify the IRS if your Social Security number was exposed or you see any signs of existing tax fraud on your account.
Sign Up for Identity Theft Protection
A good identity theft protection service combines credit and dark web monitoring, fraud alerts, identity insurance, and recovery assistance.
This gives you an extra layer of protection in case your exposed SSN gets used maliciously. Look for a service that fits your budget and needs.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft
Your Social Security number landing on the dark web is unsettling. But there are also proactive steps everyone should take to reduce the chances of identity theft in the first place:
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Use unique passwords—Don‘t reuse passwords across accounts so one breach doesn‘t compromise everything.
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Enable two-factor authentication—Require a second step like a code or biometrics to log in to accounts.
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Be wary of scams—Don‘t click suspicious links or provide sensitive info to unsolicited contacts.
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Shred documents—Destroy physical paperwork containing your SSN before discarding it.
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Limit sharing—Don‘t give out your SSN unless absolutely necessary for something like tax filing.
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Check statements—Frequently review account statements and credit reports for any irregularities.
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Freeze unused credit—Freeze your credit reports to block fraudulent new accounts.
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Monitor your identity—Use a credit monitoring or identity theft protection service to watch for suspicious activity across your accounts and personal information.
No one can prevent all data breaches. But taking a proactive approach reduces the chances your information ends up on the dark web for sale to identity thieves in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get your SSN removed from the dark web?
Unfortunately, there‘s no way to remove your SSN from the dark web once it appears there. The data spreads quickly, and trying to eliminate it entirely from leaked databases is virtually impossible.
The best approach is damage control through freezing your credit, monitoring your accounts, and being prepared in case your exposed SSN gets used fraudulently.
Is a stolen SSN sold for a high price on the dark web?
Not really. Full identities and medical records fetch higher prices. But SSNs themselves can often be bought for just a few dollars in bulk data dumps.
The low price means criminals buy up SSNs in volume, sadly making identity theft easy and accessible. But the upside is a single stolen SSN alone might not lead to instant fraud if other verifying info wasn‘t included.
If my email was hacked, could my SSN be for sale on the dark web?
Possibly, but it depends on where your email was hacked from. If it was just your email provider, your SSN is probably safe.
But if your email was compromised along with other personal info in a data breach, that full set of details could be sold on the dark web together.
To be safe, take precautions like changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication when your email is hacked. And check the dark web for your email address appearing in data dumps.
Can someone completely steal your identity with just your SSN?
It‘s unlikely they could open bank accounts or get credit solely with an SSN. Lenders typically require additional proof of ID like your name, birthdate, or address.
But criminals could combine your SSN with other details obtained elsewhere to fully impersonate you. Or they could use the SSN for employment fraud, tax theft, or filing fake government benefits.
So treat your SSN exposure seriously, but understand criminals need more than just that number to entirely takeover your identity. Proactive monitoring and fraud alerts still go a long way to protect yourself.
What are signs that someone has already stolen your identity using your SSN?
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You‘re denied credit unexpectedly for no reason
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Debt collectors call about unknown accounts
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Your health insurance doesn‘t cover a medical claim you filed
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You don‘t receive expected tax refunds or documents
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Your paychecks are smaller than expected due to unknown garnishments
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You get bills or collection notices for products/services you never signed up for
If you see these indicators, your stolen Social Security number may unfortunately already be in use. Place fraud alerts, file an identity theft report, and take all possible steps to lock down access to your other accounts.
Don‘t Panic If Your SSN Lands on the Dark Web
Learning your SSN is on the dark web is alarming. Suddenly you feel vulnerable to identity theft and it‘s unsettling knowing your personal data is out there.
But try not to panic. With the right precautions, having your SSN on the dark web doesn‘t have to lead to fraud. Treat it seriously, but take smart steps to lock down your credit and accounts.
Carefully monitor all your information—not just your SSN—for suspicious activity. Sign up for protection services. And report any fraud right away to limit the damage.
Stolen data on the dark web is unfortunately the new reality. But arm yourself with knowledge and tools so this cybercrime statistics doesn‘t turn you into an identity theft victim. With proactivity, your exposed Social Security number doesn‘t have to ruin your financial life.