Hackers may have stolen the social security numbers of every American

A hacking group has reportedly stolen personal data from National Public Data, affecting around 2.9 billion people. The breach includes sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, heightening concerns about identity theft and fraud. "If this in fact is pretty much the whole dossier on all of us, it certainly is much more concerning," consumer watchdog Teresa Murray stated.

As a protective measure, individuals are urged to freeze their credit files with major credit bureaus. Experts recommend strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication for securing accounts. Awareness of scams pretending to be from legitimate companies is crucial to avoid giving away personal details.

National Public Data didn’t respond to a request for comment, nor has it formally notified people about the alleged breach.