Thread: A reminder...

...not to divulge here personal information that could be used for identity theft.

Basically anything that you'd need to fill out on a form for purposes such as financial transactions which could identify you. Includes mother's maiden name, dates you lived in places, date of birth, address(es) etc. A little shredder is a good idea too, shove all your unwanted receipts and the like through it.

Communicating on the Internet is like offroading; there's an inherent risk, but it's easily managed. Those that post every possible detail about themselves on Facebook are asking for trouble, and just because a form asks you for details doesn't mean to say you need to supply them, or even that they need to be correct. For example if you buy whitegoods and collect them why does the shop need your address or home phone? They don't. I'm in as "." at several places because the system doesn't accept a blank field and I don't accept the need to hand over personal details without good reason.

Nothing in particular here prompted this post, just read the following story this morning:

The sick feeling of finding out you don't exist | The Australian

We also shred any personal stuff, including credit card receipts - especially the yellows from manual imprints. They have the credit card number imprinted as well as one's signature.

Re phone nos., maybe use the same type of phone number the USA uses on TV shows: 5555-1234