It is virtually impossible to permanently delete your Social Security number (SSN) from the dark web once it has been exposed, due to the decentralized and anonymous nature of the sites where the data is traded.
While you can't remove your credentials from the dark web, knowing what information was compromised can help you take action to better protect yourself from future identity theft and fraud.
Yes, you should take steps to "lock" or protect your Social Security Number (SSN) by using free services like credit freezes and SSN locks (like E-Verify Self Lock), and by being cautious about sharing it, as this significantly helps prevent employment fraud, tax scams, and unauthorized access to accounts. While no single lock stops all identity theft, combining freezes, locks, monitoring your accounts, and limiting SSN disclosure offers strong defense against fraudsters using your SSN for loans, jobs, or benefits.
If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can request to Block Electronic Access. This is done by calling our National 800 number (Toll Free 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778).
Once data is posted on the dark web, it is quickly copied and distributed among numerous cybercriminals, making it virtually impossible to remove completely. Despite these challenges, there are steps you can take to protect your identity and prevent further exposure.
Lock Your Social Security Number
To block electronic access to your SSN, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213. Once you've made your request, any automated telephone and electronic access to your Social Security file is blocked.
Locking your SSN is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft, and you can do it for free.
There's no cost to place or lift a credit freeze, and it doesn't affect your credit score. You don't have to wait for your Social Security number or other information to be exposed in a data breach or misused by an identity thief to get a credit freeze.
An IP PIN is a six-digit number issued by the IRS to help prevent others from filing fraudulent tax returns in your name using your Social Security number or ITIN. The fastest way to get an IP PIN is through an IRS online account. You can sign up for a one-time IP PIN or to have them sent to you every year.
12 Steps To Take If Scammers Have Your SSN
To make your number unsearchable on the internet, you'll have to remove it from sites such as people search platforms and other data brokers, public records, and social media platforms. By doing so, your phone number will also be removed from Google, as pages that are removed will be dropped from Google's index.
What to do if your Social Security number is on the dark web
An identity thief could try to use your Social Security number to do things like open accounts, take out a loan, file taxes, or get a job.
An extended fraud alert can be placed if you are a victim of fraud or identity theft. It requires a copy of a valid police or law enforcement agency report, or a Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Report, and lasts for 7 years.
Both top ID protection services offer restoration services up to $3 million to recoup identity theft losses. We found that LifeLock is better for individuals seeking specific types of protection services, while IDShield is more affordable for protecting families.
Yes, you can "pause" or suspend Social Security retirement benefits after reaching your Full Retirement Age (FRA) up to age 70, allowing them to grow by about 8% annually (Delayed Retirement Credits), but you must have already started receiving them and have the means to cover expenses, as dependents' benefits also stop and you pay Medicare Part B directly. To stop benefits within the first year of claiming, you can withdraw your application, but you must repay all benefits received.
Unfortunately, once your email appears on the dark web, it's impossible to remove it. However, you can take steps to mitigate the damage, such as changing your passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity.