January 1, Massive Data Breach Exposes 3 Billion Records NPD Under Fire

In a shocking display of incompetence, National Public Data (NPD) has confirmed that almost 3 billion personal records, stolen back in December 2023, have now been leaked by hackers. This breach is one of the largest ever, and includes sensitive information such as full names, alternate names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and phone numbers.

NPD’s weak response has been nothing short of alarming: “There appears to have been a data security incident that may have involved some of your personal information,” says their statement. They blame a “third-party bad actor” for the hack, claiming the attack happened in late December 2023, with data leaks continuing into April and summer 2024. NPD insists they have conducted an investigation, but that’s little comfort to the countless Americans now at risk of identity theft.

Right now, it’s vital to take measures to protect yourself. Monitor your accounts for any unusual activity and check your credit report frequently. NPD suggests you obtain a free credit report from the three major U.S. credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—by calling 1.877.322.8228 or visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. But why is it up to the victims to secure their own information after such blatant negligence?

Adding a fraud alert to your credit file is a basic line of defense. A fraud alert instructs creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or modifying existing ones. Contact any one of the three major credit bureaus, and they will notify the others. A fraud alert stays on your credit report for one year and can be renewed afterwards.

In the unfortunate event that your identity has been stolen, it’s critical to act immediately. Check your credit reports for any unfamiliar accounts or inquiries and report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov to initiate recovery steps.

Further protection can be achieved by placing a credit freeze, which is far more effective than a mere fraud alert. A freeze prevents creditors from accessing your credit report, sharply reducing the chances that identity thieves can open accounts in your name. Contact each of the major credit bureaus to set up a freeze, which will remain in place until you request it to be lifted.

Experts agree that freezing your credit is the most robust defense against identity theft. “A fraud alert is more of a heads-up to lenders, which they can easily ignore. It doesn’t do much in practice,” notes Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO of personal finance site WalletHub. “A freeze, on the other hand, stops fraud in its tracks by preventing identity thieves from opening accounts in your name.”

The bottom line: NPD’s failure has left millions at risk, and proactive measures are essential. Protect yourself and hold these institutions accountable for their negligence.

As our loyal readers, we encourage you to share your thoughts and opinions on this issue. Let your voice be heard and join the discussion below.

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