A staggering cyber attack has left countless U.S. citizens vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. Hackers claim to have obtained over 2.7 billion records containing sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and home addresses of Americans.
The group behind the attack, calling themselves ‘USDoD,’ reportedly targeted National Public Data (NPD), a company that stores personal information for background checks. This breach potentially affects individuals across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for everyone,” warned Teresa Murray from the U.S. Public Information Research Group. “It’s far more serious than previous data leaks we’ve seen.”
The cybercriminals are now attempting to profit from their illicit activities, offering the stolen information for sale at $3.5 million.
NPD faces legal consequences as a class-action lawsuit unfolds in Florida’s U.S. District Court related to the breach. The company has yet to publicly address the situation, though some who’ve reached out have received vague acknowledgments of “third-party claims” being investigated.
As digital threats continue to evolve, it’s crucial for individuals and businesses alike to prioritize data security. This incident underscores the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to safeguard Americans’ personal information from falling into the wrong hands.
