Identity theft continues to rise. Researchers say personal details, often found on social media, are being used for taking out things like loans, credit cards or phone contracts in other people's names.
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 much different from what you do online, but just think first before you post and make sure your privacy settings are secure.
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, even Mark Zuckerberg found this out.
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 it too easy for the cyber thieves.