In September 2017, Equifax (NYSE: EFX), a major consumer credit reporting agency, experienced a massive data breach. It was likely the worst in U.S. history at that time. Hackers stole personal data from 147 million consumers, including Social Security numbers, driver’s license information, and birth dates—essentially everything needed to commit long-term identity theft.

What troubled me most was the theft of my Social Security number. While credit can be frozen, your SSN is permanent, making identity monitoring a necessity. Equifax eventually settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), though the settlement amount was lower than expected to avoid bankrupting the company.

Credit Monitoring in Response to the Breach

A key outcome of this settlement was free credit and identity theft monitoring for those affected by the breach. I enrolled my family and myself in Experian (OTC: EXPGY) IdentityWorks.

Since then, I’ve received regular updates on the status of my credit and identity. On several occasions, they alerted me that my email and passwords were found on the dark web, prompting me to update them. However, this month brought a different kind of alert in the wake of a new breach.

The National Public Data Breach

Recently, there was a major data breach at National Public Data, a company focused on background checks and fraud prevention. This breach, detected in December 2023, compromised 2.9 billion records, including Social Security numbers and other sensitive information.

Concerns about identity theft and financial fraud escalated following large leaks in April and summer 2024. National Public Data has since tightened its security and is working with investigators. People are encouraged to check if their data was impacted and take protective measures.

Personal Impact: Fraud Alert and Next Steps

Last week, Experian notified me that my email, password, and SSN were found on the dark web. The notification advised me to place a fraud alert on my credit, which I did. This adds an extra layer of security, but freezing your credit is also an option for those not expecting to open new accounts soon.

Upon further inspection, I received an alarming message that a man in Joplin, Missouri, was linked to my Social Security number and date of birth, a strong sign of potential identity theft. To mitigate this, I placed fraud alerts on my credit and also reported the issue to the Social Security Administration (Fraud Prevention and Reporting | SSA).

If you suspect identity theft, checking your credit report is crucial. You can obtain a free report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian—at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Protecting Yourself from Future Breaches

Lastly, it’s important to determine if the recent data breach at National Public Data has affected you. CNBC provided a helpful resource for checking: Was my Social Security number stolen? National Public Data breach questions (cnbc.com).

Likely, National Public Data will eventually offer free credit and identity monitoring for those affected, so take advantage of these services to avoid future complications. Ignoring the breach could lead to far worse consequences down the road.

In the wake of the latest breach, it’s more important than ever to be proactive in protecting your identity. With millions of Americans’ sensitive information exposed, taking steps like monitoring your credit, setting up fraud alerts, and being vigilant about potential identity theft is crucial.

As we’ve seen from past breaches like Equifax, failing to act can lead to severe consequences down the line. Stay informed, take protective measures, and safeguard your personal data for peace of mind.

Editor’s Note: Are you looking for an alternative growth opportunity? We suggest you consider marijuana.

That’s right…marijuana. Weed is no longer a pariah and counter-cultural act of rebellion. It’s a multibillion-dollar bonanza. Investors who ignore pot stocks will miss out on huge, market-thumping gains.

Through painstaking research, my colleague Jim Pearce has discovered that a small group of everyday Americans are earning up to $51,338 a year from one company’s lucrative marijuana profit-sharing “plan.”

Jim is the chief investment strategist of our flagship publication, Personal Finance. He tells our team that this particular company is the biggest win-win opportunity he’s ever seen in the marijuana market.

There’s one step you must take to qualify for the next round of payouts. To learn more, click here now.