topic Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack in General Credit Topics

Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

Credit_hawk — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 02:38:58 GMT

Hey guys,

Well, it's finally happened to me. I've had some data here and there compromised but never my SSN, DOB, driver's license number and address in one shot. Thanks T-Mobile! The worst part is I'm not even a current T-Mobile customer. It's from an account I had for a few months back in 2006. Apparently they love to hold onto data of customers from even 15 years ago. I got my info compromised from Equifax a few years ago but the data never actually hit the dark web.

So now what? Part of me is nihilistic that this is the name of the game in the 21st century and to just be alert and keep it moving. The other part wants to go into lockdown and sue T-Mobile and curse them to hell lol. I don't even have locks on my accounts right now. I've never used them. Should I? Is there a downside?

I know I'm not the only one this has happened to here. What should be my concern level? Love to hear any personal stories and advice. Thanks!

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

TryingtoBeLifeGoals — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 01:15:59 GMT

This just happened to me with old information. Now that you said T-MOBILE it all makes sense to me. I locked all 3 credit files and also put fraud alerts on them as well.

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 01:18:58 GMT

Got the same message. I iced everyone except EX. Having difficulty with them.

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

SUPERSQUID — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 01:56:51 GMT

The last dark web alert i got from myfico included recommended instructions on what to do next.

It recommended i change all my passwords on every online account i had, i did it.

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

xenon3030 — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 01:31:40 GMT

After EQ issue, and consider it as an example, it is better to be very conservative regarding data and identity protection possibly FOREVER.

Some banks even suggest to change account and email passwords every 3 months (on top of 2 step verification, credit lock, credit monitoring, etc).

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 17:19:08 GMT

Hi. I just got this alert, too. I have never been a tmobile customer. The info online is my SSN, DL from Colorado and the cell I had (I haven't lived there in 15 years), and maiden name (changed 10 years ago). The state says DC though. Never lived there. I went ahead and froze all my credit bureaus. I change the passwords to my important accounts every month or two and none of them share the same password. I also have different emails and a google number for different types of accounts. The discharged Chapter 13 may still be there, but I worked too hard the last four years to get my scores from the 400s to the 700s so I could buy a house and a new car for someone to use my credit. I hope all this is enough.

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

Caribsa89 — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 23:10:11 GMT

I just received the same message from Experian IdentyWorks. They found my Social and DL also. They specifically told me it's from T-Mobile. I have not been a T-Mobile customer since the end of 2012! I've had my e-mails compromised before but never my Social and DL. I'm so upset! I just finished adding a security freeze on all 3 credit bureaus since they had my correct zip code (address). The only thing that was incorect was the phone number; I've changed my phone number in 2014.

Personal information on the dark web

jrwa81 — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 06:01:07 GMT

I received an alert from my Experian app tonight that some of my personal information was found on the "dark web." I logged into my Experian and found that my social security number, cell phone number, email address, and even my driver's license number were all discovered on the dark web and it said the potential site that my information was leaked from was T-Mobile's website and that the breach occurred last August.

How concerned should I be at this point? I know absoulutely nothing about the dark web, other than the fact that it exists and that nothing good ever happens on it. My husband and I are in the process of getting ready to start shopping for a new home, so the last thing I need right now (or ever) is a case of identity theft ransacking my credit. Should I be contacting T-Mobile about this since it says the info came from their site? We are T-Mobile customers, so we do have an account with them for our wireless service. I always watch my credit like a hawk, but is there anything else I should be doing to protect myself? Experian says that I should lock my credit file, but we are getting ready to put in a mortgage application in the next few days and we're already working with a loan officer, so I can't exactly do that right now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Personal information on the dark web

CH-7-Mission-Accomplished — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 03:27:56 GMT

@jrwa81 wrote:
I received an alert from my Experian app tonight that some of my personal information was found on the "dark web." I logged into my Experian and found that my social security number, cell phone number, and my driver's license number were all discovered on the dark web and it said the potential site that my information was leaked from was T-Mobile's website and that the breach occurred last August.

How concerned should I be at this point? I know absoulutely nothing about the dark web, other than the fact that it exists and that nothing good ever happens on it. My husband and I are in the process of getting ready to start shopping for a new home, so the last thing I need right now (or ever) is a case of identity theft. Should I be contacting T-Mobile about this since it says the info came from their site? We are T-Mobile customers, so we do have an account with them for our wireless service. I always watch my credit like a hawk, but is there anything else I should be doing to protect myself? Experian says that I should lock my credit file, but we are getting ready to put in a mortgage application in the next few days and we're already working with a loan officer, so I can't exactly do that right now.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

You should immediately lock/freeze your credit reports with all three credit bureaus and also ask them to place an extended fraud alert on your account. It will remain for six or seven years. It just advises potential creditors that they should call you and also get additional ID before opening any credit in your name. It's a PITA when you are applying for credit, but it's a lot less onerous than dealing with identity theft.

Re: Personal information on the dark web

TattnallTrio — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 03:34:07 GMT

I'd agree. Place the Fraud Alert immediately and also lock your credit files. I lock Experian in the Experian App, Equifax has a Lock and Alert app, and TransUnion I go on their website.
I've also locked Chexsystems, SageStream and Innovis and they also lock LexisNexis.
Your information has been stolen but locking it will help prevent the thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

SleeplessinMA — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:36:05 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner

The same thing just happened to me. Social Security#, dob, cell phone number. Ironically, I called Equifax first to place a fraud alert on my accounts. She told me it was placed and they would notify TU and Experian. I did see the fraud alert placed on my Experian credit file, will have to call TU to verify it was done.

Re: Personal information on the dark web

SleeplessinMA — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:50:12 GMT

@jrwa81

I was notified yesterday also. After losing my mind for a few minutes, I got on the phone with Equifax, placed a fraud alert with them and they informed me that they will also notify TU and EX and they would place fraud alerts on my files there. I did see the EX fraud alert, but will call TU to verify that it was done. I already had my credit files locked on all bureaus, since the Equifax breach a few years ago. I have locks with Checksystems, Utilities, and Payday loans through Lifelock.

My next call was to Social Security informing them that my social security number was breached also. She told me where I already have an SSA.gov account, where I am retired, I just have to keep an eye my account.

Fraud alerts on all credit bureaus and lock your credit files down should be the first thing you do to protect yourself. I had two unauthorized charges on one of my Citibanks in December, so I imagine my information has been floating out there for awhile. Citi blocked the transactions and notified me and we closed the account and changed the numbers. Time to change passwords on all accounts next.

Shame that this has to happen to anyone, wishing all of us good luck with this.

Re: Personal information on the dark web

Smooth_J — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 20:03:32 GMT

I just had an alert as well, however my SSN was just the last 4 and it reported my license with the last 4 as well (based on myFICO alert). I locked/froze all my reports, and my last/current credit reports look the same. Hopefully this will just pass and I don't need to worry about it more.

Can the "ID" in the report lead to something? I thought it was maybe some sort of account number, but I don't recognize it.

Re: Personal information on the dark web

SleeplessinMA — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 23:50:19 GMT

@Smooth_J

I am thinking that ID number was generated when MyFico found the information. I think you may have to contact customer support for that.

I had another report that had all the wrong information (name, address, etc) but had my correct phone number. Where I use this number for two step verification, I'm not sure if I should have my number changed or not.

Re: Got Dark Web Alerts my SSN & DL are Out from T-Mobile Hack

Kenkalen1 — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 02:02:27 GMT

me too , I put a freeze on my account

@Credit_hawk wrote:

Officially joined the "dark web" club. 3 alerts!

805orbust — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 19:43:15 GMT

Sounds like it is. Got 3 "black market surveillance" alerts today... gotta love it. I am a T-Mobile guy, and was part of the Home Depot and EQ breaches. Nice right? Gotta love these geniuses.

How exactly does a fraud alert work? I'm always frozen, all the time, even the Sagestream and Lexis, and Innovis' (Innovises?) of the world.

Re: Officially joined the "dark web" club. 3 alerts!

FireMedic1 — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 19:58:14 GMT

Not to dis you. Its sticked at the top of the General Credit Topic page. Nothing may have happened yet. To be safe if you chose to do so. I got an alert 2 weeks ago. Someone tried to use my Chase Debit card 4 days later. Chase notified me. And I got a new debit card. I usually ignore them. Google (Andriod) knows more about me than the dark web.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/General-Credit-Topics/bd-p/generalcredit

Re: Officially joined the "dark web" club. 3 alerts!

TattnallTrio — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:10:14 GMT

I got the alerts late January myself... from both Experian and Capital One's Credit Wise. Will you consider freezing Chexsystems also? Hopefully this will prevent them from opening a checking account in your name, if they try.

I have the fraud alert and places are supposed to call the number you list before they approve any accounts. I bought a new Toyota and they called days later after I took delivery of the car.

Re: Officially joined the "dark web" club. 3 alerts!

805orbust — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 23:22:50 GMT

@FireMedic1 wrote:
Not to dis you. Its sticked at the top of the General Credit Topic page.

🤣🤣 do not worry about that. I take no offense and at my age, am used to having everyone point out the things that are right in front of me.

It's not the first I've gotten, however it's the first time I've gotten 3 in one day (5 minutes actually) and they actually had sensitive info attached to them. Worrisome at the least. Guess I'll be putting that fraud alert on as well. What a pain. Thanks for the heads up about the thread.

Re: Officially joined the "dark web" club. 3 alerts!

SleeplessinMA — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 01:27:04 GMT

@805orbust

I left Tmobile for another carrier around the time this breach happened. I got the hat trick for alerts myself. I was part of the EQ breach but I missed the memo on Home Depot.

I called and talk to a rep at EQ, she took the information, put the fraud alert on my report and notified the other two credit agencies. I have a lifelock account so I already had a lock on utilities and checksystems. Fraud alerts just lets creditors know that you may have been a victim of identity fraud, to take extra steps to verify it is you. I have all my credit reports locked as well as a freeze.