Background Check Company Breach: How to Protect Yourself
-
By Farrukh Mushtaq
Farrukh Mushtaq
See author profileFarrukh Mushtaq, a digital marketer at PureSquare, possesses a keen interest in cybersecurity and enjoys writing about it. With several years of experience in the digital marketing industry, he brings expertise and passion to his work.
-
12 August 2024
-
10 mins read
Table of Content
Table of Contents
The personal information of billions of people worldwide has been compromised in a recent and unprecedented data breach at a major background check company. The protection of our personal information are major concerns that need to be addressed.
What Happened in the Background Check Company Breach?
A cyberattack on Jericho Pictures Inc.'s National Public Data (NPD), a background check organization, exposed the personal information of about 3 billion people.
One of the biggest data breaches in history, and the consequences for those compromised will be extensive.
The disclosed information may be exploited for financial fraud, identity theft, and other nefarious activities.
⚠️Your Social Security number just got leaked...⚠️
— NFT_Dreww.eth (@nft_dreww) August 6, 2024
Did you get a notification over the weekend that your Social Security Number (SSN) was found on the dark web?..
Jerico Pictures Inc., a background-check company doing business as National Public Data, had a breach (they still… pic.twitter.com/ZtI0UqaLSH
According to a complaint filed on Thursday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, a cybercriminal group known as USDoD posted a database titled "National Public Data" on a dark web forum on April 8, claiming to have the personal information of 2.9 billion people.
The complaint further states that the group offered to sell the database for $3.5 million.
According to the complaint, it's unknown precisely when or how the breach happened, and as of the filing, the provider still hadn't given affected parties notice or a warning.
The case claimed that claimants did not knowingly give their data to National Public Data because the corporation uses non-public sources to obtain billions of people's individually identifying information for its operations.
How Did the Data Breach Impact the Public Data?
National Public Data is being accused of disclosing around 3 billion people's personal information through a data breach. The business used a technique known as "scraping" to gather data and kept private data, including Social Security numbers, without permission. Subsequently, this information was exposed on the dark web.
Public Data Got Compromised via Dark Web
Hofman, a resident of California, and the complainants charged NPD with unjust enrichment, carelessness, and breaches of the third-party beneficiary contract and fiduciary obligation.
Hofman said that on July 24, he received a message from his identity theft protection service provider informing him that his data had been compromised and was being sold on the dark web.
Hofman is seeking monetary damages as well as the NPD to segment data, scan databases, use a threat-management system, and designate an outside assessor to assess its cybersecurity frameworks every year for ten years.
The court has been requested to order NPD to erase all impacted people's personal data and encrypt all information that is gathered from now on.
What are the Potential Privacy Risks from Exposed Data?
Numerous negative uses can be made of the exposed data, which includes private information like residences, complete names, social security numbers, and family members.
Causing Identity Theft
Cybercriminals can easily pose as real people to open fake accounts, seek loans, and commit other financial crimes if they have access to personal information.
Doing Financial Fraud
Credit card theft, bank account depletion, and other financial scams can be carried out using exposed financial information.
Using the Data for Extortion
Using the stolen data, criminals may demand ransom payments from victims or use it as leverage.
Stalking and Harassment
People can be harassed and their whereabouts can be found using personal information.
Selling Data to Other Data Thieves
To further increase the danger of misuse, stolen data may be sold to other cybercriminals or data brokers on the dark web.
Damaging Reputation
When personal information is revealed, it can harm a person's reputation, particularly if the information is utilized maliciously.
How to Take Immediate Action in Case of a Data Breach
Assessing the nature of the affected data is the first step.
You can take precise action once you are aware of the particular data that has been disclosed.
Regardless of the exact information that was exposed, you can take the following quick actions right away:
- To put a credit freeze on your account, get in touch with the three main credit agencies. This stops someone from opening new credit in your name.
- Pay special attention to any unusual activity in your bank, credit card, and other financial accounts.
- All online accounts should have their passwords updated, especially if the same or comparable credentials are being used.
- For extra security, activate 2FA whenever you can.
- Watch out for shady calls, texts, or emails requesting personal information.
- Consider the advantages of utilizing a service that protects against identity theft.
- To report any fraud and challenge any unauthorized payments, get in touch with your bank and credit card issuers very once your financial information was hacked.
- Notify your insurance companies and healthcare providers of the intrusion and take the appropriate security measures if your medical records are compromised.
Get Control Over Your Personal Information
The dark web monitoring is constantly on alert for any exposure of your personal information. Get real-time alerts from PurePrivacy to let you act quickly in the event of a data breach.
Get a Privacy Scan
To find weaknesses and privacy hazards, thoroughly examine your online and social media accounts.
Run a Data Brokers Scan
You have the choice to opt-out and find out which data brokers are gathering and selling your personal information
Block Unwanted, Online Trackers
Use a tracker blocker to protect yourself from intrusive internet tracking and targeted advertisements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What is the severity of a data breach?
Depending on the kind of data involved, there may be legal obligations to warn and possibly recompense individuals impacted, as well as consequences such as database corruption or destruction, confidential information leaks, intellectual property theft, and theft.
-
Are there legal effects for a data breach?
Data breaches may result in both criminal and civil legal ramifications. Due to the possibility of receiving financial compensation, civil data breach cases are especially crucial for victims of identity theft and data breaches.
-
Can I receive compensation after my info was compromised?
If an organization violates data privacy law and causes you harm, you have the right to sue it for damages under the GDPR. This covers both "non-material damage" (like you have experienced distress) and "material damage" (like you have lost money).
-
How does NPD gather data?
The NPD gathers its data from several sources, such as awarding bodies, local authorities, and schools. The department's Education Data Division processes this data, matches it, and stores it in the NPD.
-
Simplify your online presence today
With PurePrivacy, make sure all your personal data remains safe without a hassle!
Wrapping Up
The NPD data leak is an eye-opening reminder of how vulnerable even well-established businesses may be. In-depth risk analyses and incident response strategies are necessary to lessen the possible effects of upcoming data breaches.
