We already are learning that what we post on the web in comments, on websites, on help desks is public, searchable and clickable. Please remember to keep your personal information a bit more personal. Remember the days of carbon credit card signatures? They were constantly being dug out of the trash bins and used to commit fraud. Think about it - be careful with your full address.
I'm really fine with a zip code.
I don't mind helping marketers figure out what plans are working in which regions. A zip code is big enough. But your home or business address? Really? Do they truly need it to provide service or information to you? Really? If they require it, you need to speak to a manager or choose not to do business with them.
Sites that want to verify that you are over 13 or 18 - your full birthday?
Are you seriously considering giving them that information? That's critical information - it's VALUABLE and makes you vulnerable. To process a credit card they don't need your actual birthday. Think of your favorite year in movies - providing you have experience going back before 1990. 1939 is my favorite year. It is my new birthday year, even on Facebook. It was a FABULOUS year for movies. I'll also know who has sold me out based on the year; just for trivia's sake.
Your "other" names - your USERNAMES.
Remember, what you post in reviews, help desks, customer service and chat rooms can be indexed. Do a search on Google for your "usual" username - you may be surprised what comes up in the results. Some of you will realize how emotional you are, how illiterate you appear to others because of the furious typing in your anger. Take the time - spell check, proof. This is the first impression many people will have of you.
Trivia questions - careful what you answer.
Are they asking for your first pet, first best friend, favorite teacher? Hmmm. Those sound a lot like the security questions PayPal and my bank ask - NO! Don't give it up or make something up. They really don't care what you say, really. We get asked our opinions, our answers and we actually think someone cares about the brand of my first car.
Finally, spend your time wisely.
You are helping them with their work. Are they paying you? Coupon? Rebate? Anything? If not, choose how you spend your survey and trivia time wisely. Any time I'm answering telemarketer calls, opening junk mail, etc. takes away from time I could be earning money or reading a favorite book.
In person credit card transactions - they can't write it down, but they should check for matchy-matchy.
I'm constantly amazed at retailers, including restaurants, that don't check your ID and allow you to use a credit card - not a debit requiring a PIN, but a credit card transaction without asking for ID to make sure it is you. Are they that desperate? I ask them to check it. I bring it to their attention that I would appreciate it they checked it. I had one bad experience at Bed, Bath & Beyond. I dropped my wallet in the parking lot. 5 minutes later - 5 minutes - same cashier attempted to process a transaction for $550 from a woman who was the opposite of me. Had they asked for ID, she couldn't pass for my cousin, sister or twin. They would have caught her. Instead, I lucked out because that card had a low limit. Thank goodness it was the only one I had that day. She attempted to make a small purchase plus cash at another store - Target - and they caught her.
Comments