A major data breach may have exposed the Social Security numbers and other personal information of nearly every American, making it easier for criminals to commit identity theft and fraud. The hacking group USDoD reportedly stole records from National Public Data, a company that provides personal information for background checks. The stolen data, now available on an online marketplace, includes names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and phone numbers.

This breach is particularly concerning because it contains the information needed to open or take over existing accounts. Although the leaked data does not include email addresses or government-issued ID photos, the combination of exposed details could still allow criminals to cause significant harm.

To protect yourself, experts recommend freezing your credit files with the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your permission. It’s free to do, but remember to lift the freeze temporarily if you need a credit check.

You can also sign up for identity theft monitoring services, some of which may be offered for free if your data is exposed. Additionally, you can check if your information was leaked using tools provided by cybersecurity companies.

If you haven’t already, sign up for online access to your financial accounts. This will make it harder for thieves to take over your accounts. These steps can help protect your identity and economic well-being after this massive data breach.