Wrong "Exposed" Address Shows Norton Dark Web Monitoring Dashboard

Norton 360 for Windows
2

Hello @Anthony_Colella
Looks like Norton scare marketing.

The address appears legit here
It’s just not you and you’ve confirmed your monitored address is correct.

What does Continue do?

If you still have any concerns, you can reach Norton support here.

======================================================

AI Mode
If Norton Dark Web Monitoring reports the wrong address, you can update the information in your account settings. The alert may also be legitimate, as dark web breaches often contain old or incorrect data. Your primary action is to verify the information in your Norton account and then take steps to secure any associated accounts, as your address may have been compromised even if the one flagged was outdated or incorrect.

What to do if Norton reports the wrong address

  • Update your monitored information: Sign in to your Norton account. Find the Dark Web Monitoring settings and update the incorrect address. You may have to remove the old, wrong address and add the correct one to stop future alerts.
  • Investigate for older breaches: A report of an old address could indicate that your information was part of a past data breach. Cybercriminals often collect and sell old, incorrect, or partial data, which can still be used for scams.
  • Consider it a potential identity theft risk: Because your address was flagged, other associated information may also be at risk. It’s best to proceed with caution.
  • Review all alerts: Check your Norton account for any other dark web monitoring alerts. If you see other personal data exposed, it can confirm the need for further action.

Steps to take to protect your identity
Even if the reported address is incorrect, you should take proactive steps to protect your identity:

  • Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: Contact the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit report. A freeze will stop anyone from opening new lines of credit in your name.
  • Monitor your financial accounts: Closely watch all of your financial accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity. Look for any new accounts or charges you do not recognize.
  • Beware of phishing attempts: Scammers often use breached personal data to launch targeted phishing attacks. Be careful of any suspicious emails, texts, or phone calls that use your reported information to try and get more data.
  • Shred sensitive documents: If you are alerted to old data, it’s a good reminder to be vigilant with your physical documents. Shred any papers that contain personal or financial information.

What the alert for the wrong address means
An alert for an incorrect or old address can still be a legitimate dark web exposure. It means that your information was included in an older data breach that contained that outdated address. Hackers often trade or sell incomplete or old data, which can still be used for scams or to find other pieces of your information.

This is why, even after updating your monitored information with Norton, it’s wise to take precautions, such as using multi-factor authentication and monitoring your financial accounts.

----------------------------------------------------

To place a fraud alert, you only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus online, by phone, or by mail. The bureau you contact is legally required to notify the other two. A fraud alert warns creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening a new account in your name.

Before you begin
Before you place an alert, be prepared to provide personal information so the bureau can verify your identity. You will likely need your:

  • Full name
  • Current and recent past addresses
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • A copy of a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license)
  • A copy of a utility bill or bank statement

How to contact the credit bureaus
Choose one of the following credit reporting agencies to contact. A fraud alert is free to place.

Equifax

  • Online : Go to the Equifax fraud alerts page.
  • Phone: 1-800-685-1111.
  • Mail: Download and follow the instructions on the Alert Request form.

Experian

  • Online: Visit Experian’s Fraud Alert Center.
  • Phone: 1-888-397-3742.
  • Mail: Send a written request to P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.

TransUnion

  • Online: Place an alert through your online account.
  • Phone: 1-800-680-7289.
  • Mail: Send a written request to P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016.

Types of fraud alerts
The type of fraud alert you place depends on your situation.

Initial fraud alert

  • Best for: Anyone who suspects they may be or are about to become a victim of identity theft. You can also place one just to be cautious.
  • Duration: One year, but you can renew it.
  • Features: Entitles you to one free credit report from each bureau.

Extended fraud alert

  • Best for: Verified victims of identity theft.
  • Duration: Seven years.
  • Features: Entitles you to two free credit reports from each bureau within the first year and removes your name from pre-screened credit offers for five years.
  • Requirement : You must provide a valid police report or an Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov.

Active duty alert

  • Best for: Active duty military personnel.
  • Duration: One year, but can be renewed for the length of your deployment.
  • Features: Removes your name from pre-screened credit offers for two years.

After placing the alert

  • Review your credit reports: You will receive a confirmation from each credit bureau with instructions on how to get your free reports.
  • Report any problems: Carefully check the reports for any accounts or debts that you did not authorize.
  • Consider a credit freeze: For the strongest protection against identity theft, you can place a credit freeze. Unlike a fraud alert, you must contact all three bureaus separately to freeze and unfreeze your credit.

-------------------------------------------------------------

To place a credit freeze, you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Freezing your credit is free and will block most third parties from accessing your credit report, which helps prevent identity theft.

For the fastest results, use the online portal or a phone call. If you request the freeze online or by phone, the bureaus must place it within one business day. By mail, they have three business days after receiving your request.

Information needed to place a credit freeze
To verify your identity, you will need to provide personal information such as:

  • Your full name, including middle initial and suffix
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Your current address and all addresses from the past two years
  • For mail requests, you will also need to provide a copy of a government-issued ID and a recent utility bill or bank statement.

How to place a credit freeze with each bureau
Equifax

  • Online: Create a myEquifax account to place and manage your credit freeze.
  • Phone: Call 888-298-0045.
  • Mail: Download and complete the Security Freeze Request Form. Send it to the address provided on the form.

Experian

  • Online: Visit the Experian Freeze Center or log in to your account to place a freeze.
  • Phone: Call 888-397-3742.
  • Mail: Send a written request to Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013.

TransUnion

  • Online: Visit the TransUnion Service Center or log in to your account to manage your freeze.
  • Phone: Call 800-916-8800.
  • Mail: Send a written request to TransUnion, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094.

How to unfreeze your credit
When you need to apply for new credit, such as a lo an or credit card, you will need to “thaw” or temporarily lift the freeze. You must do this with each bureau individually, using the same online, phone, or mail methods.

  • If you unfreeze online or by phone, the bureaus must lift the freeze within one hour.
  • By mail, they have three business days to do so after receiving your request.
  • When lifting the freeze, you can choose to do so for a specific period of time, after which the freeze will be automatically re-applied.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Did you receive an alert that your data was exposed?

If you still have any concerns, you can reach Norton support here.

Contact Norton Support

1 Like