Identity theft continues to rise. Want to be a target? Posting personal details on social media like loans, credit cards or phone contacts will put you in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.
It can leave victims with big bills, or a bad credit rating (the points-based system lenders use to decide if you can borrow their cash). The advice isn't to drastically change from what you do online, but just think about it first and make sure your privacy settings are tight.
Here are some big things that you do not post:
1. Your passport. Some people have actually posted pictures of their passports. Your full name, your date of birth, your passport number is all things identity thieves would love to get their hands on.
2. That you on vacation and having a great time. Tells the thieves when to visit your home or office.
3. Your new residence. Posting a picture of your new resident may be enough for criminals figure out your address. Never post your current or previous address on social media.
4. Pictures of your new car with the license plate. The license plate may be one more piece of information that thieves can use to steal your identity.
5. Your full birth date. Your birthdate without the year is fine. Everyone wants to be wished a happy birthday.
6. Your Phone Number, you may get calls from people that you do not want to be friends with.
7. Your Social Security Number, goes without saving
8. Your passwords, duh?
9. Don’t use the same passwords for social media that you do for work
10. Your banking and credit card information, never. Also if you are going to complain about the financial institutions service, leave out the name of the institution.
Most of you would never post any the above information, but some do. No need to make yourself too easy a target for the cyber thieves.