Millions of Floridians are Caught-Up in the Massive Data Breach: Here's How to Check & What to Do

Floridians HakcedPhoto byOCMM

Massive Data Breach Exposed Social Security Numbers of Most US Citizens, Floridians Among The Harder Hit After Several State-Wide Breachs

Fort Lauderdale, FL. A staggering 2.5 billion information data breach has left the majority of US citizens with Social Security numbers vulnerable to identity theft and financial exploitation. The breach, believed to have occurred in recent months, exposed the sensitive personal data of millions of Americans, with Floridians being among the harder hit after several state-wide breaches.

While the breach affected US citizens nationwide, Floridians were disproportionately affected. Over 70% of Floridians with Social Security numbers were estimated to be exposed to the breach. However, there is a notable exception: individuals who use web scrubbing sites, which are services that remove personal data from online databases, were largely spared.

The Florida-based company is facing multiple proposed class actions, after the massive data breach that one suit claims leaked nearly three billion files containing personal data on people in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., including names and home addresses.

A lawsuit that gained early attention was a potential class action initiated on August 1 by Christopher Hofmann, a California resident, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. This legal action asserts that a group known as USDoD allegedly uploaded a database named "National Public Data" on April 8 to a dark web platform, purporting to possess the personal information of 2.9 billion people and offering it for sale at a price of $3.5 million USD.

Impact on Floridians
While the breach has affected millions across the United States, Floridians were particularly impacted due to their population and diversity. However, individuals who used data opt-out services, often referred to as web scrubbing sites, were notably absent from the leaked data. These services help individuals remove their personal information from public databases, providing an extra layer of protection against such breaches.

Web scrubbing sites, such as DeleteMe and Optery, work by identifying and removing personal data from online databases, making it more difficult for hackers and identity thieves to access sensitive information. While these services are not foolproof, they have been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of identity theft.

What to Do Now
If you suspect that your Social Security number or other personal information may have been exposed, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Check if Your Information Was Exposed: You can use services like Pentester to check if your Social Security number was part of the breach. Pentester offers a free scan that allows you to see if your data has been compromised.
• Monitor Your Credit: Regularly check your credit reports for any suspicious activity. You can get free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Place a Fraud Alert: Contact one of the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
• Consider a Credit Freeze: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
• Be cautious of phishing scams: Be on the lookout for phishing scams, which are attempts to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
• Report Identity Theft: If you notice any signs of identity theft, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission and your local law enforcement agency.

Pentester Services and Services Like it
Pentester and companies like it offer a range of services to help individuals and businesses protect their data:

• Free Scan: Check if your data has been compromised with a free scan. Pentester.com Free Scan identity theft risk
• Automated Data Removals: Remove your personal information from public databases and data brokers.
• Dark Web Monitoring: Monitor the dark web for any signs of your personal information being sold or traded.
• Penetration Testing: Identify and fix vulnerabilities in your network before attackers can exploit them.
• Risk Assessment: Get a comprehensive view of your security posture and recommendations for improvement.
• Red Teaming: Simulate real-world cyber-attacks to evaluate your organization's security measures.

Moving Forward
The massive data breach that exposed the Social Security numbers of most US citizens is a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity. While the breach is alarming, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. You can reduce identity theft risk by checking if your Social Security number was exposed, monitoring your credit reports, and using two-factor authentication. And, with Pentester's free services, you can get expert advice and tools to help you stay safe online.

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Research and source materials:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/national-public-data-breach-lawsuits-1.7297197

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/social-security-numbers-leak/

https://npd.pentester.com/

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/15/billions-people-social-security-numbers-and-data-stolen-allegedly.html

The Florida-based company is facing multiple proposed class actions after the massive data breach that one suit claims leaked nearly three billion files containing personal data on people in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., including names and home addresses.https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-08-16/massive-data-breach-may-be-even-worse-than-suspected

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2023/07/27/florida-patients-among-victims-spate-data-hacking/#:~:text=The%20records%20of%20more%20than%203.4%20million%20Florida,continue%20to%20remain%20a%20favorite%20target%20of%20hackers.

https://health.wusf.usf.edu/health-news-florida/2024-07-11/hack-on-floridas-vital-statistics-is-just-the-latest-cyberattack-on-health-related-systems

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/state-lawmakers-demand-answers-florida-department-health-after-massive-data-breach/GZUJJ6XWURCTBMVOEW72EBYFAA/