There is no 100% surefire way to avoid private information from getting into the wrong hands in today's ever evolving technological world…just ways to
minimize the exposure such as:
Using a PO Box
Use a PO Box address for mail instead of the residential
mailbox. The mail will be delivered
inside the post office and accessible by only the US Postal personnel and the
PO Box owner. Using a PO Box helps to
keep a residential address private. Although
if there is any kind of public record involving the resident i.e. mortgage,
property tax records, any type of court case - the residential address becomes
public as well unless the PO Box is the only address provided for contact. Even if that is the case, the court transcripts
may still reveal the residential address.
Using a Shredder
The only thing about a shredder though is that if
somebody really wants to get a hold of something, they can reconstruct the
document if they have time on their hands.
There was a time once where I shredded a document. If I didn't find that document later in
little strips neatly put back together, with my SSN on it, on somebody else’s
desk. (Yep) This goes to
show that if there isn't much in the shredder or if the shredded document is of
a distinct color, the document might as well had been crumpled up and thrown in
an open trash can. Discard personal or private information inside the home
and/or outside of the workplace. Never
throw away personal or private information including mail in any public trash
receptacle – even when picking up junk mail from the PO Box at the post office. Tear up in small pieces of paper with
attention to areas that include personal information such as the address, phone
number, date of birth, name, SSN, account information and Driver’s License
number.
Social Media
In "Big Girl Little Girl Everything I CanThink Of Right Now To Tell You About Life, Money, Credit, Boys, Men andSex," there is a chapter specific about Social Media as well as other
online activities such as Internet Dating.
A few tips:
- Never post online where you are at the time that you are there. This let's people know that you are not home. Everybody added as a "friend" is not really a friend and those "friends" have friends that you haven't paid any attention to - yet one or two may pay a great deal of attention to you. Recap on your events of the day ONCE you have returned home. With that being said, be mindful of what you say about being home alone and enjoying the house to yourself.
- Never post something that will give an indication of your work, school, or recreation schedule. Again another way someone can keep track of your comings and goings.
- Limit photo posting. Post pictures of places you've visited after you come back. If photos are posted of you or family, limit the views to those who are closest like best friends, close family, and the like. Once a photo is posted, it can easily be downloaded to and shared with anyone's computer by the simple right-click, copy/save-as, attach, then e-mail.
- Social Media is geared for everyone to be social about what they like and what they do. It's really nobody's business where you currently work. When current workplace info is posted online, people you know nothing about know a little something more about you.
- Never post anything about children’s activities unless the settings are just for very close friends and family members – not that that means anything either. Couldn’t quickly put hands on stats but it's probably safe to assume that over 50% of crimes committed against children are from close friends and family members.
Regular U.S. Mail Drop Off
Never leave mail in the open mailbox for the US
Postal Carrier to pick-up. Take any
articles that need mailing directly to a US Postal Mailbox or call the US
Postal Service about services that provide pick up of U.S. Mail that need
to be sent.
Paying By Check
Routing and checking account numbers are just
as good as cash in hand - especially with online payment centers that use this
information. With today's technology a
check can be printed and presented for payment at any time and there are still
some institutions that cheerfully cash third party checks with no questions
asked. To be better safe than sorry, do
not use public WiFi to make any payments online no matter what security
settings are placed on your computer or whatever security statement is noted or
available on the public WiFi. When
throwing away deposit slips after using up all of the checks in a pad, tear up
the routing and account information on the deposit slips before placing in the
home garbage.
Paying by Debit/Credit Card
Just like checks, debit cards, even used as
credit cards, are gateways to the vault of somebody’s money. Online debit/credit card use is most likely
better used for just utility, mortgage, and car note payments. If purchasing something online, be sure the
site and/or the information that is being sent and received is encrypted. Again, do not use public WiFi to make any
payments online no matter what security settings are placed on your computer or
whatever security statement is noted or available on the public WiFi.
Note: It
is very important to review your accounts no less than every other day. If theft has occurred, some lending
institutions give a small window to bring it to their attention that your
account has been compromised. If the
bank is not contacted within that time parameter, there may be little recourse
to get the bank account reimbursed for the loss that was stolen minus the fee
or money hold that banks will impose in case of theft. Terms and agreements are not written and
distributed just to kill trees. It's
important to read every document received from the beginning to end with all terms
and agreements for all financial accounts to know the proper procedures in case
of theft as well as fee amounts for certain situations.
For more information visit:
Additional consumer related information,
visit: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/
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