Hackers stole the Social Security numbers of Americans, according to a company named in a class-action lawsuit by internet users. The company has confirmed that cybercriminals hacked their servers and obtained this sensitive information, the NY Post reported.
Hackers stole social security numbers of Americans, major data breach leads to lawsuits
Jerico Pictures Inc., a company based in Coral Springs, Florida, operating as National Public Data (NPD), released a statement last week acknowledging that the breached information included names, email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and mailing addresses. NPD attributed the “data security incident” to an attempted hack by a “third-party bad actor” and shared this information on its website.
The company reported an attempted hack in December 2023, along with “potential leaks of certain data” in April 2024 and the summer of 2024. NPD, known for conducting criminal background checks for employers and investigators “at some of the lowest fees in the industry,” did not specify how many people were affected.
NPD stated that it implemented “additional security measures” after hackers stole the Social Security numbers of Americans. It aimed to prevent future breaches and safeguard its systems. The company also mentioned that it had “cooperated with law enforcement and governmental investigators” and conducted a review of the potentially affected records. NPD said it would be reaching out to all affected users “so that you can take action to minimize or eliminate potential harm.”
Steps to protect yourself after a major data breach
NPD advised online users to “closely monitor your financial accounts” and promptly contact your financial institution if you notice any unauthorized activity. Social Security number holders were also encouraged to contact the three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion— hackers seized Americans’ private data. They should obtain a free credit report and place a fraud alert on their file.
Free fraud alerts notify creditors to contact you if someone attempts to open or change new accounts in your name. Since news broke on August 1 that hackers stole the Social Security numbers of Americans, at least eight separate lawsuits have been filed against NPD.
Christopher Hoffman, a California resident, filed a lawsuit on August 1, claiming that a cybercriminal group called “USDoD” posted a database on the dark web containing the personal data of 2.9 billion people. According to the lawsuit, which Bloomberg Law first reported, the group put the database up for sale for $3.5 million.
Hoffman’s lawsuit also alleges that the hackers, who stole Social Security numbers of Americans, obtained data about relatives and past addresses dating back at least 30 years. NPD is accused of negligence and breaches of fiduciary duty in the lawsuit. Although the amount of damages Hoffman is seeking is not specified.
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