When navigating the digital world, it’s crucial to be mindful of the personal information you share online. The risks associated with oversharing can lead to identity theft, fraud, and a breach of privacy. Here are 17 pieces of personal information you should never share.
Social Security Number
Hopefully, you know not to share your social security number online unless it’s necessary on a trusted, secure site. It should never be shared on a public forum or with people you don’t know. Social Security numbers are the easiest way for criminals to create a new identity including opening credit card accounts and taking out loans in your name.
Driver’s License Number
Similar to your Social Security Number, this can be used to steal your identity. People can do a lot with just a photo of your driver’s license. Your license includes your full name, address, date of birth, approximate height and weight, and a picture of you: it is a unique ID number that could be used for official purposes.
Passport Number
Your passport number is another official piece of information that people can use to clone your identity. You’d hate to end up on a no-fly list because someone made a passport with your information for someone else to use for nefarious purposes.
Financial Account Numbers
Sharing banking information is an absolute no-go. Many scammers will pose as companies trying to hire you or buy something from you online and claiming they need your bank account information to do so. With a plethora of secure online payment methods out there, you should never have to give people your routing and account numbers unless it is for a trusted direct deposit.
Home Address
According to a survey by Visa, about 20 percent of respondents gave their home addresses on social media. Sharing your home address opens the doors to so many problems beyond identity theft: it can open you up to unwanted visitors such as burglars or even stalkers.
Full Name
You might not think anything of sharing your full name on social media, since most platforms ask for first and last name, but it can make you a target for scammers and identity theft. Pieced together with other information we share online, it becomes easy for people to create fake profiles of you, or, even worse, use your identity as their own.
Email Address
While it may seem harmless, sharing your email address publicly can lead to spam and phishing attacks. Says ReachOut, “This type of scam is called “phishing“: criminals send email, text, or pop-up messages that appear to come from your bank, a government agency, an online seller, or another organization with which you do business.” These messages will sound urgent to get you to click the link to steal your login or other vital information.
Pictures of Your Kids
Sharing pictures of your life and family is what social media was originally intended for, but these seemingly harmless posts can be extremely dangerous. More than 40% of social media users don’t limit their access to their profiles to just friends and family, meaning anyone can see them. “It’s a sad fact, but there are a lot of predators who use the Internet to stalk their prey,” says How Stuff Works.
Regular Schedule
Stalkers and predators can use information you post about your daily schedule to get to you and your family. If you check in at the gym every day at the same time, they know when you will be there and not at home. This could help them get to you or get in your home when you’re not around.
Vehicle ID or Title Numbers
You may be excited about getting a new car or finally paying off the one you’ve had but be sure not to post pictures that include the VIN or a picture of the title paperwork. These pieces of information can help people steal your car and make it look as though it is legally theirs.
Phone Numbers
Handing out your phone number seems like a normal activity and not something you should worry about. However, sharing your phone number can lead to unwanted calls and texts and can be used as a piece of identifying information in fraudulent activities. On top of that, people can use your phone number to look you up and find out more information. If you’re on a dating site or using your personal phone for work, it’s best to set up an online number like Google Voice.
Vacation Itinerary
You’ve booked a trip and are excited to share your plans with friends but posting online can leave you vulnerable to burglars or other people who can benefit from you being away. Wait until after you’re home from your trip to post pictures online about it so people aren’t aware you’ve been away until it’s too late to use it to harm you.
Medical Records or Health Insurance Information
You may not worry about someone knowing your health insurance information, thinking it wouldn’t benefit anyone else, but people can use this information to get medical care under your policy while you foot the bill.
Photos with Location Identifiers
Even if you don’t tag the location of your pictures, motivated predators can use landmarks and pieces of information in your photos to figure out where they were taken. Be mindful of what shows up in pictures from your daily routines that may allow people to know where you frequent. “The more photos reflect the context of a person and their relationships with others, the more that person can be denoted by their location, which in turn allows hackers greater access to personal information,” Professor Joseph Turow at the Annenberg School for Communication says.
Passwords or Security Question Answers]
Most people know not to share their passwords but we often share answers to our security questions without even thinking about it. You may have seen posts on forums asking people questions like “What have your pets’ names been?” or “Tell us your high school mascot.” “Your high school, birth city, or mother’s maiden name could help a criminal change your banking passwords, so choose tougher security questions and be careful what you post,” says MountaineerEnews.
Work History or Employment Information
Sharing detailed employment information can lead to identity theft or targeted phishing scams. These details can also be used by your company’s competitors to help them know what’s going on within your company, like expansions or large new projects.
That You Live Alone
Women hear alarm bells go off when a man asks if they live alone, and if they don’t, they should. But being at risk of stalkers and other people who may use your solo residence to harm you isn’t limited to just women. Being careful to not let strangers know you live alone can increase your safety.
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