A significant data breach involving driver’s licenses has been uncovered and is currently under federal investigation. According to reporting published Tuesday, more than 153 million driver’s licenses were made available for sale through a dark web marketplace called Nexus, including identification documents belonging to security researchers and government officials.
The breach appears to involve multiple formats of identification scans beyond standard image captures. Available records reportedly included high-resolution images of both sides of driver’s licenses as well as scans taken in infrared and ultraviolet light spectrums. Security experts suggest the additional spectrum formats could potentially be used to create counterfeit identification documents designed to bypass hologram verification systems. Beyond driver’s licenses, the service also advertised access to other identity documents including government-issued identification cards and marijuana dispensary cards.
The timing of the disclosures suggests the breach may still be actively occurring. Records indicated that identification scans became available for sale within hours of victims presenting their licenses at businesses such as car rental agencies and retail locations. Over a single 24-hour period, the number of available driver’s licenses increased by approximately 400,000, according to reporting. Investigation into the matter has identified IDScan.net, a New Orleans-based ID scanning company, as a potential point of compromise. Public records indicate the company provides scanning services to multiple large businesses and captures images in infrared and ultraviolet spectrums as part of its standard operations.
The marketplace went offline shortly after the breach was publicly disclosed. This offline status has prevented affected individuals from determining whether their personal identification documents were included in the compromised data. The FBI’s ongoing investigation into the matter was confirmed by reporting sources.
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