Is your Social Security number on the dark web? What you need to know

Here’s a scary thought – There is a very high probability that your Social Security number is on the dark web , opening yourself up to identity theft, fraud and a variety of other criminal activity.

According to Fox News , there are signs your information could be available online to cyber criminals. They include:

None of these signs prove your information is available on the dark web, Fox News pointed out, but can indicate you need to investigate further and pay close attention to your statements.

Think your info has been sold on the dark web? Malwarebytes.com recommends:

the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to freeze your credit and prevent any new accounts being opened in your name

Set up fraud alerts on your credit reports. This will require extra steps to verify your identity before any new accounts can be opened

Review your financial statements to spot any erroneous charges. This includes examining your credit reports, bank and credit card statements.

Change passwords for online accounts, especially those associated with financial services, email and social media. You should also enable two-factor authentication on accounts that offer it.

local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission to make an identity theft report.

People often report an upswing in scam attempts after their information is exposed. It’s important to continue to monitor accounts and activity.