• Home
  • News
    • Global Operations
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Industry
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
    • Special Interest
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
  • Market
    • Coming Soon
  • Intelligence
    • Job Board
    • Events
    • Contract Awards
    • USMC Deception Manual
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • News
    • Global Operations
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Industry
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
    • Special Interest
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
  • Market
    • Coming Soon
  • Intelligence
    • Job Board
    • Events
    • Contract Awards
    • USMC Deception Manual
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Privacy Policy
Login
Join Free
Home
Asia
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Asia
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Asia
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Coming Soon
Job Board
Events
Contact Awards
USMC Deception Manual
Login
Join Free
Home Special Interest North America Special Interest

Data Breach at National Public Data Sparks Controversy Over Scope of Impact

  • Editor Staff
  • August 19, 2024
Editorial Credit: Max Acronym / Shutterstock
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterLinkedIn

National Public Data (NPD), a Florida-based background check firm, is at the center of a major data breach scandal that has raised significant concerns over the scale of compromised personal information. The company, which conducts criminal background checks for employers and investigators, confirmed last week that it had been hacked by cybercriminals who accessed sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, names, addresses, and phone numbers. Despite initially reporting that ‘only’ 1.3 million individuals were affected, evidence suggests that the actual number may be far higher.

The breach, which occurred in December 2023, became public knowledge after leaks began to surface in April 2024. The cybercriminal group known as USDoD claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they had stolen a database containing 2.9 billion lines of data. This data allegedly included information on citizens from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The group offered the database for sale on the dark web for $3.5 million, sparking fears that millions of people could be at risk.

Troy Hunt, a well-known cybersecurity expert and creator of the HaveIBeenPwned website, analyzed the leaked data and identified 134 million unique email addresses, suggesting that the breach could have impacted far more people than NPD has acknowledged. Additionally, Atlas Data Privacy, a firm specializing in data removal from brokerages, discovered 272 million unique Social Security numbers among the leaked data. These findings cast doubt on NPD’s initial estimate of the breach’s scope.

In response to the breach, NPD has been hit with multiple class-action lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court of Fort Lauderdale. Plaintiffs in these lawsuits argue that the company failed to adequately protect their personal information and is downplaying the extent of the breach. NPD, which operates under the name Jerico Pictures Inc., has stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement and has implemented additional security measures to prevent future breaches.

Despite these assurances, the company has faced criticism for not disclosing the full extent of the compromised data. In its filings with Maine’s attorney general, NPD reported that 1.3 million individuals were affected, but it did not provide a comprehensive breakdown of the data types exposed. The company’s statements have also been criticized for failing to include crucial information, such as the 70 million criminal records identified by Hunt.

The data leak has had significant implications, particularly because NPD’s services are widely used by employers, staffing agencies, and private investigators. The breach has highlighted vulnerabilities in the data security practices of companies that handle sensitive personal information, and it underscores the growing risks associated with cybercrime.

 

Expanded Coverage:

The Register

Quartz

New York Post

Editor Staff

Editor Staff

The Editor Staff at SOFX comprises a diverse, global team of dedicated staff writers and skilled freelancers. Together, they form the backbone of our reporting and content creation.

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ADVERTISEMENT

Trending News

Ukraine’s SSO Shares Unverified Video Claiming FPV Drone Strike on Russian Ka-52

Ukraine’s SSO Shares Unverified Video Claiming FPV Drone Strike on Russian Ka-52

by Editor Staff
May 19, 2025
0

A viral social media post by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SSO) and the Balista Unit has led to claims that...

Video Shows Close-Combat Clash Between IDF and Hamas in Gaza

Video Shows Close-Combat Clash Between IDF and Hamas in Gaza

by Editor Staff
May 12, 2025
0

A video reportedly released by Israeli local Israeli media outlets shows Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in a close-range firefight...

Ukrainian Intelligence Makes First Public Reveal of Magura-7 Drone Boat Used to Down Russian Jets

Ukrainian Intelligence Makes First Public Reveal of Magura-7 Drone Boat Used to Down Russian Jets

by Editor Staff
May 16, 2025
0

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) publicly revealed its Magura-7 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) Thursday, showcasing new footage and technical specifications...

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Next Post
Donkey Carts Become Crucial in Bamako’s Struggle with Waste Management

Donkey Carts Become Crucial in Bamako's Struggle with Waste Management

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Faces New Challenges Amid Controversy Over Amyloid Beta Hypothesis

Alzheimer's Disease Research Faces New Challenges Amid Controversy Over Amyloid Beta Hypothesis

997 Morrison Dr. Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29403

News

  • Global Operations
  • Special Interest
  • Industry
  • Global Operations
  • Special Interest
  • Industry

Services

  • Membership Page
  • Merchandise
  • Recruiting
  • Membership Page
  • Merchandise
  • Recruiting

Resources

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
wpDiscuz
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Global Operations
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Industry
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
    • Special Interest
      • Asia
      • Africa
      • Europe
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
      • Oceana
  • Market
    • Coming Soon
  • Intelligence
    • Job Board
    • Events
    • Contract Awards
    • USMC Deception Manual
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Privacy Policy
Subscribe
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.

Log in to your account

Lost your password?