Study: Your Identity Is Worth $1,170 on Dark Web (2024)

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Study: Your Identity Is Worth $1,170 on Dark Web? ›

Digital encryption should be a priority for anyone looking to safeguard their data, given how cheap personal information is sold in dark web marketplaces, according to a recent study.

An individual's personal information can be worth more than $1,000 on the dark web amid a spike in cyber crime and identity fraud, according to a new study by cybersecurity researcher Privacy Affairs.

If your personal information is spotted on the dark web, it could mean someone took the information without your permission. Criminals steal personal information in a variety of ways. Some try hacking into accounts or using malware to capture passwords.

Identity… While the thought of having your personal information on the dark web can be terrifying for some, the truth is, if you have been using the internet or any popular online services for some time now, the likelihood that your personal information is already on the dark web is actually pretty high.

Complete stolen identities (aka "Fullz") sell for $5-$30, depending on the amount of PII available. Buying a complete (aka, "Fullz") or nearly complete stolen identity is a modest investment. You'll pay more for extras like associated credit reports.

A new study by PrivacyAffairs.com has found that an individual's personal information is valued at $1,010 on the dark web, with a notable rise in cybercrime and identity fraud.

Most valuable types of personal information

A Social Security number may sell for as little as $1. Credit card, debit card and banking info can go for as much as $110. Usernames and passwords for non-financial institution logins are $1, but it can range from $20 to $200 for login info for online payment platforms.

If your info ends up on the dark web or is stolen during a social engineering attack, safeguarding your digital privacy and financial security should become a top priority. Start by: Placing a credit freeze on your financial accounts to prevent fraudsters from taking out credit cards or applying for loans in your name.

But most people shouldn't spend too much time worrying about what might happen if someone gets their hands on their personal information, Hanslovan said. Instead, he advised keeping an eye on your important accounts, and make sure you're prepared to act in the case something does go wrong.

If your data has been stolen in a data breach, your SSN has likely been posted onto the Dark Web. Read this guide to find out what you can do if this happens.

Should I worry if my phone number is on the dark web? ›

If your phone number is in the wrong hands, your identity and sensitive information could follow. Scammers and hackers could use your number to access your cloud accounts, which might hold private photos and details about you.

It is generally implausible to remove data that has been disseminated within the Dark Web. Individuals whose PII has been discovered on the Dark Web are encouraged to enroll in an identity and credit monitoring service immediately.

The standard going rate for an SSN is $3 to $4, and that price can escalate to around $8 for a full personal profile or "fullz," which includes more detailed information.

If you're in the market for stolen identities, you can find all you want on AlphaBay, one of the premier marketplaces on the Darknet. The market is just a few clicks away—all you need to get there is the Tor browser.

To report identity theft, contact: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The three major credit reporting agencies. Ask them to place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts.

You can pay your account from your bank's online website or by using your banking app. We are a preloaded beneficiary with all banking institutions, so it is best to select Identity from the approved list of preloaded beneficiaries; Setting up Identity as a Preloaded Beneficiary: Simply register with your bank online.