WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Hackers reportedly stole billions of records from National Public Data (NPD), a company used for background checks. Now, many people, especially seniors, are left wondering how to protect themselves from potential identity theft.
According to CBS News, the stolen data was posted on a free hacking forum, making it accessible to anyone. For many Warner Robins seniors, like Judith Bruce and Sundra Keys, this is the first they are hearing of the breach.
"I haven’t heard anything about it, but it's good information to know," Bruce said. "I keep a close eye on my Social Security and my financials."
Seniors like Bruce are particularly vulnerable, as many rely heavily on their Social Security income and may not be as familiar with online threats. Sundra Keys, another Warner Robins senior, said she was concerned over the breach and its potential impact on her finances.
"I'm very concerned because that's how I survive," said Keys. "Social Security is a big part of my way of living. It’s what I depend on to make ends meet."
Steps to Protect Yourself
Experts recommend several immediate steps for anyone who believes their information may have been compromised:
Freeze your credit with one of the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
Consider using identity theft protection services to add an extra layer of security.
Judith Bruce says she feels relatively safe because she monitors her accounts closely.
“I don’t order things online, and I usually don’t give out my Social Security number to anyone,” she said. “If anything looks suspicious, I’ll act on it.”
Keys, on the other hand, is taking extra precautions, even though she hasn’t noticed any issues yet.
“I keep up with my credit regularly, and I have protections in place for my bank accounts and emails,” she said. “But now I’ll definitely go check to see if my number was leaked.”
Despite these precautions, both Bruce and Keys feel that more should be done to prevent such breaches from happening in the future.
"There needs to be stronger punishments for those who hack, especially when it affects seniors and people who rely on Social Security," Bruce said. "They need to make sure older people and those with disabilities are protected."
As the investigation into the breach continues, seniors like Bruce and Keys are urging others to stay vigilant.
"I just hope they do more to protect us in the future," Keys saisd.
For those concerned about whether their information was compromised, you can check through online resources like NPD.pentester.com. If affected, freezing your credit is the first step to protecting yourself from potential fraud.