Massive Social Security data breach sparks identity theft fears for millions
Federal officials are scrambling to contain the fallout from a massive Social Security data exposure that has thrust millions of Americans into the crosshairs of identity thieves. A whistleblower has alleged that more than 300 m Social Security records were placed at risk, potentially affecting virtually every working-age and retired person who depends on federal benefits. The breach is not just a technical failure, it is a direct threat to people's credit, bank accounts, and long term financial security.
At the center of the storm is the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which is accused of mishandling sensitive information and quietly moving it to an unsecured environment. As investigators dig into how this happened and who knew what, ordinary Americans are left wondering whether their Social Security Number is already circulating in criminal markets and what, if anything, they can do to protect themselves.
How a government efficiency push became a security nightmare
The core allegation is stark: a federal effort to streamline services appears to have opened the door to one of the largest potential privacy disasters in U.S. history. A Whistleblower complaint describes Social Security data for roughly 300 m people being copied to a cloud server, raising the risk of identity theft and even loss of benefits if records are altered or misused. The complaint ties this exposure directly to the Department of Government Efficiency, which was supposed to modernize systems, not weaken them.
What investigators now admit about DOGE's access
As the controversy has grown, federal agencies have been forced to acknowledge details they initially played down. In WASHINGTON, a Department of Government Efficiency employee is now accused in a Justice Department filing of sharing Social Security data to an unauthorized server without the knowledge of agency leaders, a move that allegedly occurred about a year before it came to light. That filing describes how the Department of Government employee moved personal data outside official systems, raising questions about internal controls and auditing.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/massive-social-security-data-breach-sparks-identity-theft-fears-for-millions/ar-AA1UW1gn
Trump was advised this wasn't a good idea.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Lying thieving grifting unhinged anti-social narcissistic deranged man-child.
Too strong?
and was told to go to a post office with a bar code and proof of ID to finalize it. I thought I'd be able to do that today, Monday.
On Friday evening Soc Sec sent me a snotty little email informing me that I only have 4 days to get to the post office. Couldn't get there Saturday.
The huge snowstorm Sunday dumped about 9 inches on us, along with a layer of frozen sleet. We haven't been able to dig out yet.
Looks like I'll have to do the whole rigmarole over again, if they'll allow me to.
You can unfreeze them at any time - it only takes a few minutes - if you need a loan for an auto, mortgage, etc.
It keeps creeps from getting credit in your name, but it doesn't keep them from using credit card numbers IF they have those.
The amount of information for sale on the dark web is unbelievable.
Way to go, Eloon! Who would ever have thought you and your merry gang of 20 years old wunderkinds would screw this up. Assholes! 
Ours remains frozen until such time as we need to use them. Car purchase. Buying a home. Other than that, they stay frozen.
