Obviously we have talked quite a bit about identity theft, online safety, and how to make sure you’re not the victim of data piracy. However, I ran across an infographic from the complianceandsafety.com website that illustrates just how badly your personal information is misused online. Quite a few companies promise not to share your personal information from one side of their mouth, and promise it to someone else with the other. Seems this is another example demonstrating how the video I made is hitting a little closer to home.
You may have been wondering why so much of your personal information is so readily available when doing an online background check. Of course this isn’t true for everyone, but the graphic below is a great example of just how your information gets out and about in the various databases. The point is you haven’t been careful enough with your personal information. Below are some tips from my personal files:
- Question everything both online and offline and ask why they would want this or that bit of information. For example, if a store asks for your drivers license when making a return, flat-out refuse and see if they really need it.
- When filling out online forms, skip them if you’re asked for more than an email address and first name, etc. Of course at times you will have to include more information, just know why if that’s the case.
- This one is pretty far out; but you can also rent a Post Office box and use that whenever possible when filling out address information both online and offline. You won’t always be allowed to enter a P.O. Box for an address.
Categories: Identity Theft and Protection Tips
