By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Epic Real Estate.

Imagine discovering that a government agency failed to safeguard the personal data of millions, and that the very information exposed could be used to hijack your mortgage. That is the reality facing homeowners after the Pentagon’s recent breach, and the stakes are higher than a simple credit‑monitoring alert.

Why the Pentagon breach matters to homeowners

The Pentagon admitted that a server containing files for about three million individuals—including Social Security numbers—remained unencrypted for nine months. Two Marines, veteran Tristan Edwards and active‑duty Marine Morgan Stampley, sued after the leak led to fraudulent charges and a surge of spam on their accounts. As the host explained, “The Pentagon’s answer to this whole thing is 12 months of free credit monitoring. Which would be great if social security numbers expired like a carton of milk.”

While credit monitoring can alert you after a theft occurs, a stolen SSN is only half the weapon a fraudster needs. The other half consists of publicly searchable data—addresses, phone numbers, and personal details—that can be stitched together on data‑broker sites. When combined, these pieces enable criminals to open loans against a homeowner’s equity, potentially jeopardizing the family’s primary asset.

Five practical steps to protect your property

Theriault outlines a clear, actionable roadmap. First, freeze your credit with the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze “locks your credit file” so lenders cannot open new accounts, and it does not affect your credit score.

Second, place both home and cell phone numbers on the Do Not Call list. This simple step can deter predatory investors who purchase bulk lists of homeowners; as Theriault notes, “The big list tools flag numbers that are on the Do Not Call list because calling them can get an investor fined.”

Third, opt out of people‑search sites. These services aggregate public records with additional personal data, creating a profile that thieves can exploit. In March, the FBI arrested a ring that borrowed $6 million against the homes of seniors over 70 by using such profiles. In California, the state‑run tool Drop sends a single request to all registered data brokers, streamlining the removal process.

Fourth, consider a paid service like Cloaked that automates opt‑out requests and monitors for re‑appearances. Theriault shares his own experience: “I use a service called Cloaked and I pay for it like anybody else. It finds you on the data broker and people search sites, files the removal requests and keeps after them so you don’t pop back up.” Plans start at about $10 a month and include up to $1 million in identity‑theft insurance.

Finally, protect the second half of the identity puzzle by locking your phone number. SIM‑swapping attacks, where thieves transfer your mobile number to a new device, have led to $17 million in losses last year, according to the FBI. The FCC now requires carriers to offer a free “number lock” and a port‑out PIN. Theriault advises, “Open your carrier’s app or call the number on your bill, ask them to turn on the number lock, and then ask them to set a port‑out pin.”

The hidden market of data brokers

Data brokers thrive on the very information homeowners assume is harmless. Real‑estate tools like Deal Machine compile lists of owners, phone numbers, and addresses in minutes, selling them to investors seeking “paid‑off” properties. Historical abuses are well documented: a 2013 Senate inquiry revealed brokers selling lists of seniors with dementia, and in 2021 Epsilon paid $150 million for knowingly selling consumer data to fraudulent sweepstakes and astrology schemes.

These practices underscore why opt‑out actions matter. Even if a homeowner removes their profile from one site, new lists can re‑populate it. Theriault likens the effort to “a part‑time job of whack‑a‑mole,” which is why many choose to outsource the work to services that continuously monitor and purge their data.

Guarding your phone number: the final line of defense

The convergence of data breaches and SIM‑swap scams makes phone‑number security a critical, often overlooked, safeguard. Criminals use stolen SSNs and birth dates to convince carriers to transfer a victim’s number, then intercept banking authentication codes. By enabling the carrier’s number lock and setting a unique port‑out PIN, homeowners add a barrier that cannot be bypassed without their explicit consent.

While the Pentagon’s breach is a stark reminder of federal vulnerabilities, the steps outlined above empower individuals to take control of their own data. As Theriault emphasizes, “If you only do one, freeze your credit because it stops something before it happens instead of telling you about it afterward.”

In a digital age where personal information is a commodity, proactive protection is no longer optional—it’s essential for preserving the security of one’s home and financial future.

The full episode of Epic Real Estate is available on OBBM Network TV.