Lawsuit Claims Hackers Have Gained Access To Billions of People’s Data

Lawsuit Claims Hackers Have Gained Access To Billions of People's Data

A lawsuit alleges hackers have gained access to information of billions of people.

At a Glance

  • Lawsuit alleges data breach affected billions of individuals.
  • Hackers allegedly targeted National Public Data in April 2024.
  • Stolen information may include Social Security numbers and other personal data.
  • NPD has not informed victims of the breach, lawsuit claims.

Lawsuit Alleges Massive Data Breach

A new lawsuit claims hackers have accessed the personal information of “billions of individuals.” Filed by Christopher Hofmann, the lawsuit alleges that a hacker group known as USDoD breached the database of National Public Data (NPD) in April 2024. The hackers reportedly accessed records containing full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and phone numbers.

National Public Data, a background check company based in Coral Springs, Florida, collects and sells data from both public and private records. The data breach reportedly involves 2.7 billion records and has impacted virtually everyone with a Social Security number. Alarmingly, the lawsuit claims that NPD has failed to provide any notice to affected individuals. This has raised concerns about transparency and corporate responsibility in safeguarding sensitive information.

Details of the Alleged Breach

The alleged breach’s scope is staggering, with the hackers initially trying to sell the stolen data for $3.5 million before leaking it for free on a hacker forum. The exact number of impacted individuals remains unclear, but the lawsuit indicates it likely includes everyone with a Social Security number. If the lawsuit is accurate, this failure to alert those affected underscores the need for stricter regulations and better cyber protection measures.

Security experts recommend that affected individuals take immediate steps to secure their personal information. Measures include freezing credit files with major credit bureaus like Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Additionally, using long, complex passwords, multifactor authentication, and staying alert for phishing scams can help mitigate risks.

Recommendations for Security

The breach could be the largest of all time in terms of affected people, exposing vulnerabilities in data security practices. The Social Security Administration has stated that their internal systems were not compromised, but they advise the public to protect their personal information and monitor their Social Security accounts for suspicious activity.

“It’s frightening because I’m in the IT field, and I know what can be done with social security,” said Palm Beach County resident Alvis Tann. “We get calls often enough about scams or phishing attempts and things related, and it’s a nightmare. I mean, your whole life is going to be turned upside down. If that’s the case, and imagining that happening to an entire nation, that’s even more devastating.”

Keeping security software updated and using tracking services to monitor dark web data are also advised. These steps, along with vigilance and good cyber hygiene, can protect personal information from potential exploitation.

Class Action and Lack of Transparency

The class action lawsuit accuses NPD of negligence due to inadequate security measures, resulting in the alleged data breach. National Public Data has not commented on the allegations, but local residents expressed their concerns over the potential implications. Identity theft and fraud have become increasingly prevalent. This situation may highlight the urgent need for transparency and stronger data protection regulations.

Sources

  1. Hackers may have stolen your Social Security number in a massive breach. Here’s what to know.
  2. Billions of social security numbers possibly stolen: How you can protect yourself
  3. Lawsuit Alleges Hackers May Have Stolen More Than 2.7 Billion Records, Including Social Security Numbers

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