2.9 Billion Records, Including Social Security Numbers, Compromised in Massive Data Hack: Key Details

  August 15, 2024    Buddieizreal

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 2.9 Billion Records, Including Social Security Numbers, Compromised in Massive Data Hack: Key Details

A staggering number of Social Security numbers and other sensitive information belonging to millions of people may now be in the hands of a hacking group following a significant data breach. The Los Angeles Times reported this week that the compromised data might have been sold on an online marketplace.

The hacking group, known as USDoD, allegedly stole personal records of 2.9 billion individuals from National Public Data, according to a class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as reported by Bloomberg Law. The breach is believed to have occurred around April 2024, according to the lawsuit.

Here’s what you need to know about the alleged data breach:

What Information Was Compromised?

The law firm Schubert, Jonckheer & Kolbe, which filed the class-action suit, stated in a press release that the stolen data file is 277.1 gigabytes in size and contains names, address histories, family connections, and Social Security numbers dating back at least three decades.

According to a cybersecurity expert’s post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the group USDoD claims to be selling the 2.9 billion records of U.S., U.K., and Canadian citizens on the dark web for $3.5 million.

Since the data was put up for sale in April, other versions of the data have surfaced, according to the cybersecurity and technology website Bleeping Computer.

In August, a hacker known as "Fenice" reportedly released the most comprehensive version of the data for free on an online forum, Bleeping Computer reported.

What is National Public Data?

National Public Data is a background check company based in Florida and operated by Jerico Pictures, Inc.

While National Public Data has not publicly confirmed the breach, The Los Angeles Times reported that the company has been responding to inquiries via email, stating, "We are aware of certain third-party claims about consumer data and are investigating these issues."