So, in honor of Data Privacy Day – that’s today! – read on for some best practices when it comes to keeping your most sacred information in house.
1. Shred your documents
It sounds old school, especially as our lives become increasingly paperless, but getting rid of old papers is still the best way to ensure your information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Case in point – the massive paper recycling bin often standing sentinel at your apartment community’s mailbox. Sure, it’s mostly supermarket flyers and ads from the local orthodontist, but some people are careless or accidentally toss credit card statements or worse in these receptacles.
Credit card and bank statements, offers and other such documents should always be destroyed before being thrown away. Dumpster diving is a common method for those interested in identity theft. Don’t make it easy for them.
2. Protect your password and be WiFi wary
We’re not being super strict here. Feel free, of course, to share sensibly with friends and loved ones you know and trust, where it’s practical. But if for some reason, someone outside your inner-circle needs a given password, be smart.
Once the password-necessary task has been completed – change it! And never, ever send password or any other personal account information over public or unsecured WiFi networks. This means stick to working on your novel at the coffee shop and do your banking at home, where access is secure.
3. Be suspicious
When it comes to personal physical safety, we are most often told to trust our instincts rather than be polite. Same applies for your personal information. There are countless ne’er-do-wells on the consumer interwebz who disguise themselves as benevolent entities such as your bank or credit card purveyor. They go to great lengths, crafting emails, domains, logos and more to make themselves appear legit. Don’t fall for it.
Never give out your personal information over the phone, mail or Web unless you can be certain with whom you’re speaking (for example, if you called them). Any request for information should be verified before you say or send it.
4. Give permission
Tools such as MyPermissions.com allow users to ascertain their permission settings, get reminders to clean them up when necessary and will alert you when any of them tap into your personal data.
5. Tighten card security
It can be a bit of a nuisance, but if the information from one of your store credit cards is ever stolen, thieves can wreak havoc, spending like mad before you ever get a bill to contest.
Many stores have systems in place that will require the cashier to make a call anytime anyone using your card or account makes a purchase – then you’ll be required to give someone a PIN or password to complete it. Folks behind you in line may balk, but hey – better safe than sorry!
