DAYTON — People’s identities are up for sale.
In some cases, prices start at just $1.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
As reported on News Center 7 Daybreak, the prices start at $1 on online marketplaces to buy a Social Security number and more.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Superload weighing almost 370K pounds could cause problems for Greene County drivers
- Dog dies after being found in basement of Ohio home
- Officer injured after police hit by vehicle, police say
Justin Gray, from our sister station WSB TV in Atlanta, reports he has even seen a spreadsheet of identities offered for free to a company for not paying a ransom in a data breach.
“Oh, that’s my grandson,” a woman said.
“That’s your grandson,” said Gray.
“Oh, my goodness,” she responded.
They found her grandson’s identity for sale online. Then, they went to find him.
“His date of birth, his driver’s license, everything to steal his identity for sale,” said Gray.
Grandma made a phone call.
“That’s crazy,” said D.J. Gibson. “That’s wild.”
Gray showed Gibson how his identity was in the hands of criminals being offered up by crooks for others to purchase.
“This looks like a picture you took of your license,” said Gray.
“Yeah, it was me,” said Gibson. “I know exactly what it was for, too.”
They did not just have his social security number, date of birth, and even email password, but also a picture that D.J. once shared through what he thought was a secure website. It was a security measure to prove his identity.
“It was for a payday loan,” Gibson told Gray.
“I went on Telegram, and I looked for some interesting identities for you and me,” said David Maimon, Georgia State professor. “Like, less than two seconds.”
Gray said Maimon saw Gibson’s identity for sale.
“The numbers I was able to find were offered for free,” said Maimon.
“For free?” Gray asked.
“Yeah. For free,” Maimon answered.
The more information, the higher the cost. Many of the social security numbers come complete with proof of identity picture.
“Five dollars per identity,” explained Maimon. “Now, if you buy in bulk, you get a way better price.”
Gray reports it is not just the dark web anymore. Professor Maimon’s team finds identities for sale everywhere from Telegram to Facebook and Instagram.
“You don’t have to be very skilled. You just need to know where to look,” he said.
Gray said D.J. Gibson seems calm about it all because he’s already been dealing with the consequences.
“Stacks of paper this tall, just of inquiries,” he said.
Hard inquiries came in last year on his credit. Dozens and dozens of applications used his identity trying to get cash.
“Banks, bank lines, credit lines, credit cards, debit cards. Everything,” said Gibson. “It was worry. It was a constant worry.”
News Center 7 consumer advisor Clark Howard says you should freeze your credit now to protect yourself.
“You don’t throw up your hands, you freeze your credit. It’s free to do and it will protect you from most harm that criminals may try to do with your info,” he said.
Clark says you should freeze your credit at all three credit bureaus and keep a closer eye on your credit.
“One easy tool you can use is to set up a Credit Karma account, and you’ll be able to see your credit and an approximation of your credit score whenever you want for free,” he added.
Gray said DJ did the same thing Clark told us over and over to do, freeze your credit.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
