Security News > 2021 > February > How much is your info worth on the Dark Web? For Americans, it's just $8

A Comparitech report found that Japan and the UAE have the most expensive identities available on illicit marketplaces at an average price of $25. Personal information from US citizens found on the Dark Web-ranging from Social Security numbers, stolen credit card numbers, hacked PayPal accounts, and more-is worth just $8 on average, according to a new report from tech research firm Comparitech.

"After a data breach or successful phishing campaign, much of the stolen personal information is sold on black markets. Many such marketplaces reside on the dark web. The median credit limit on a stolen credit card is 24 times the price of the card. The median account balance of a hacked PayPal account is 32 times the price on the dark web," Comparitech's Paul Bischoff wrote.

"Social Security numbers and other national ID numbers are for sale on the dark web but aren't particularly useful to cybercriminals on their own. They are usually accompanied by other personal information, including a person's name, date of birth, address, phone number, account numbers, and other personal information that cybercriminals use for identity fraud, including opening up new lines of credit in the victim's name, taking over accounts, and withdrawing from banks, among other crimes."

At the top of the list are the countries that make up the European Union, which averaged $8 per account.

"The vendor promised the balance on the account would be €5000 +/- €200 with a 48-hour replacement guarantee in case of chargebacks. The customer can request a date and time that the account be handed over. If an account with the full amount is not available, the vendor will split it into separate transactions. I wish my bank had that kind of customer service."

The report suggests that there is "Not much an end user can do about data breaches except to register fewer accounts and minimize your digital footprint."

News URL

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-much-is-your-info-worth-on-the-dark-web-for-americans-its-just-8/#ftag=RSS56d97e7