A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that about 2.9 billion people may have had their personal information hacked, with reports suggesting that all Americans may have been affected. The breach, which allegedly occurred in April 2024, involved a background check company known as National Public Data, owned by Jerico Pictures Inc., failing to properly safeguard the information it scraped. Valuable personal information such as full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and information on relatives may have been compromised. While National Public Data and Jerico Pictures did not provide a comment to CNBC, experts warn that this breach could have significant repercussions for individuals.
It is suggested that the breach may not be as extensive as initially reported, with potential factors such as multiple compromised records per individual and involvement of other countries possibly reducing the number of people affected. Despite this, the breach remains concerning, particularly because the leaked information may already be available elsewhere. Massive data breaches are unfortunately not uncommon in today’s digital landscape, with significant breaches such as the 2017 Equifax and 2013 Yahoo incidents having affected millions of individuals. This latest breach highlights the ongoing threat to personal data security and underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to protect against identity theft.
Consumers are frequently made aware of potential data breaches through notifications from affected companies. The Identity Theft Resource Center notes that receiving a data breach notice significantly increases the likelihood of falling victim to identity theft within a year. While it may be challenging to directly link a breach to a particular identity crime, the risks associated with compromised information persist indefinitely. This reality underscores the importance of taking steps to safeguard personal data and minimize the potential impact of breaches.
Experts emphasize the importance of freezing credit reports as a crucial step in protecting personal information. By placing a security freeze on credit reports, consumers can limit access to their records and prevent unauthorized use of their data. This measure is particularly vital in the wake of a data breach and can be implemented quickly and at no cost by contacting each of the three major credit bureaus. While a credit freeze can impede certain financial transactions, such as applying for new credit cards or loans, it remains an essential tool in maintaining data security in an increasingly vulnerable online environment.
In addition to freezing credit reports, consumers are advised to take precautions such as using strong and unique passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication, and avoiding public Wi-Fi when accessing personal information. Both experts and organizations recommend investing in dark web monitoring services to receive alerts if compromised information is detected. While these measures can provide a sense of security, it is crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting personal data from cyber threats. Using password managers and other security tools can further enhance data protection and reduce the risk of identity theft.
Overall, the alleged data breach affecting billions of individuals underscores the ongoing challenges and risks associated with digital information security. As the prevalence of cyberattacks and data breaches continues to rise, individuals must prioritize safeguarding their personal data through proactive measures such as freezing credit reports, using strong passwords, and monitoring for potential compromises. By taking these steps, consumers can reduce their vulnerability to identity theft and mitigate the potential consequences of large-scale data breaches.
