Cache of three billion background check records set to be sold online by cyber criminals

News
By published

USDoD has struck again

A stressed out hacker looking at a laptop screen
(Image credit: Yuri A/Shutterstock)

The cyber criminal organization known as USDoD has allegedly stolen 2.9 billion records from Florida based information broker National Public Data, which handles API searches for companies requesting background checks.

The database was first spotted online in April 2024 with a price tag of $3.5 million, and was later verified to be at least semi-genuine by experts at VX-Underground.

USDoD leaks again

The information within the database contained sensitive personal information including full names, addresses and address history, social security numbers and detailed information on family members including the deceased.

Along with all of the disappointing insights VX-Underground provided, they did provide a nugget of good news, stating that “The database DOES NOT contain information from individuals who use data opt-out services. Every person who used some sort of data opt-out service was not present.”

USDoD was one of two cyber criminal groups involved in the leak of millions of Americans criminal records earlier this year, as well as the 3GB TransUnion database theft in 2023.

Leading malware removal tool creator Malwarebytes last month claimed that the USDoD group is looking to replace the BreachForums, which was taken down by the FBI in May but has since somehow returned.

Via TheRegister.

More from TechRadar Pro

Benedict Collins
Benedict Collins
Senior Writer, Security

Benedict has been with TechRadar Pro for over two years, and has specialized in writing about cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and B2B security solutions. His coverage explores the critical areas of national security, including state-sponsored threat actors, APT groups, critical infrastructure, and social engineering.

Benedict holds an MA (Distinction) in Security, Intelligence, and Diplomacy from the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham, providing him with a strong academic foundation for his reporting on geopolitics, threat intelligence, and cyber-warfare.

Prior to his postgraduate studies, Benedict earned a BA in Politics with Journalism, providing him with the skills to translate complex political and security issues into comprehensible copy.