With its user-friendly interface, low fees, and deep liquidity, OKX stands out as an ideal choice for both novice and experienced traders seeking a reliable and feature-rich platform. Gemini is a digital asset exchange and custodian, founded in 2014 by brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, that allows customers to buy, sell, and store digital assets such as bitcoin and ether. Gemini is regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) and also the first exchange to launch bitcoin futures contracts in December 2017. …were used to sell personal information, including the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers belonging to individuals in the United States. SSNDOB (Social Security Number, Date of Birth) marketplace was seized as the result of an international operation involving the FBI, Department of Justice, the IRS, and authorities in both Latvia and Cyprus. The United States Department of Justice has announced a major takedownof a criminal marketplace that traded Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
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The websites were reportedly used to sell data like individuals’ names, Social Security numbers, and birthdates—predominately targeting those in the U.S. Those who believe they’ve fallen victim to identity theft are advised to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s one-stop website for help with such cases. Warning signs for identity theft include receiving bills for items you haven’t bought, debt collection calls for loans you didn’t open, and denials for loan applications, per US authorities.
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US law enforcement on Tuesday announced the takedown of SSNDOB Marketplace, a series of websites selling personally identifiable information (PII). In 2021, Joker’s Stash—at the time the darkweb’s largest site for such theft— also shuttered. That closure seemingly happened on the site operator(s)’ own accord, but followed an FBI and Interpol raid. “The two markets may have had some relationship to one another, including possibly shared ownership,” the report said. On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced that a group of darkweb domains, collectively known as the SSNDOB Marketplace, had been taken offline.
- SSNDOB sold the data for as little as $0.50, although some customers spent up to $100,000 in Bitcoin at a time.
- It’s important to note that some exchanges may require additional identity verification for larger purchases.
- By using peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms, privacy-focused exchanges, decentralized exchanges (DEX), or cryptocurrency ATMs, individuals can purchase cryptocurrencies without sharing their SSN.
- Engaging in identity theft or purchasing SSNs on the Dark Web exposes individuals to criminal charges and serious legal consequences.
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Earlier this year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also neutralized a modular botnet dubbed Cyclops Blink as well as dismantled RaidForums, a hacking forum notorious for selling access to hacked personal information belonging to users. In the final section, we will conclude our exploration of the Dark Web and the risks and consequences of buying an SSN. In the next section, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how the process of buying an SSN on the Dark Web typically unfolds.
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U.S. law enforcement worked with authorities in Cyrus and Latvia to seize four domains belonging to SSNDOB administrators. SSNDOB sent over $100,000 worth of Bitcoin to Joker’s Stash between December 2018 and June 2019. Chainalysis suggests “the two markets may have had some relationship to one another, including possibly shared ownership,” (our emphasis).

The data exposure risk creeps ever upwards and one small mistake can have severe consequences. SSNDOB advertised its services on dark web forums and offered customer support for buyers. Digital payment methods such as Bitcoin were used to preserve the operator’s anonymity.

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- With an SSN, criminals can assume the identity of another person, open credit card accounts, obtain loans, and access various financial services illegally.
- Conduct thorough research, exercise caution, and consider the reputation and security measures of the platforms or individuals you engage with.
- It is a network of encrypted websites that require special software, such as Tor (The Onion Router), to access.
- Leaving your coins on an exchange poses a security risk as many exchanges are targets for hackers to steal user funds.
- Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the platform offers both an all-in-one exchange and a wallet, making it one of the easiest starting points with Bitcoin.
You must have a valid purpose like judgment recovery, debt recovery, child support, criminal investigations, civil investigations, 1099 filling, etc. The exchange you choose will be interoperable with most devices, desktop and mobile, and will allow you to withdraw to your own personal hardware wallet. Buying bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in The United States is a simple process and usually takes less than 10 minutes to get fully setup. Uphold employs security audits at least annually to ensure client funds remain safe from vulnerabilities. Uphold also works with licensed banking partners in the US and is regulated by the United States Treasury Department regulator, FinCEN. Coinbase is one of the world’s largest bitcoin exchanges and also considered to be one of the safest.
These methods offer different levels of anonymity and have their own advantages and considerations. Privacy-focused exchanges offer an additional layer of anonymity, but it’s important to note that they may have lower liquidity and fewer cryptocurrency options compared to mainstream exchanges. Additionally, due to the nature of these exchanges, it’s essential to exercise caution and do your own research to ensure the reputation and trustworthiness of the platform before proceeding with any transactions.
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Remember to choose the right cryptocurrency exchange based on factors such as security, reputation, user reviews, and fees. Use a secure bitcoin wallet to store your purchased digital assets, and make the purchase through payment methods that do not require SSN, such as using a debit card or anonymous payment options. The significance of an SSN on the Dark Web lies in the opportunities it provides for fraudulent activities. With an SSN, criminals can assume the identity of another person, open credit card accounts, obtain loans, and access various financial services illegally. One of the significant risks of buying an SSN on the Dark Web is that you are engaging in illegal activity.
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It’s important to note that some exchanges may require additional identity verification for larger purchases. However, by keeping your purchases small and using the payment methods mentioned above, you can still buy cryptocurrency without SSN or ID verification. If you’re considering buying cryptocurrency, you may be wondering whether or not you should provide your SSN. While some exchanges and platforms require SSN for identity verification, there are many reasons why you might prefer to buy cryptocurrency without providing this information. “Perhaps most interesting of all though is the activity we see between SSNDOB and Joker’s Stash, a large darknet market focused on stolen credit card information and other PII that shut down in January 2021,” Chainanlysis wrote.
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The investigation is being overseen by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones and asset forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
In the next section, we will discuss how to choose a reliable seller in the Dark Web marketplace, should you decide to proceed with purchasing an SSN. Some individuals may buy an SSN simply for the thrill of engaging in illicit activities or as a means of asserting control over someone else’s personal information. The Dark Web provides an avenue for these individuals to obtain SSNs and explore the realm of cybercrime without fear of being caught.