Call 4 Action

Call 4 Action: Leaving Your Shadow Behind

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Story Created: Feb 2, 2010

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2010

Call 4 Action: Leaving Your Shadow Behind

MILWAUKEE - Depending on where he was today, the groundhog may or may not have seen his shadow. But what about your shadow?

How well are you protecting a shadow of yourself when you disclose your personal information?

How are people most likely to leave behind their personal information without even realizing it?

There are a number of ways including:
• Personal information that may be printed on checks including addresses, phone and driver's license numbers, let alone your account and routing numbers.
• Passwords, user names, or bank or social security numbers that you may disclose online while accessing bank accounts, employee benefits, investment accounts, or by registering for a free product.
• Personal information that you may be leaving on a cell phone that you discard, including a history of calls made or received, text messages, contacts, and pictures.

How can this disclosure hurt you?

Scam artists can use it to hack into your accounts, thieves may use it to steal your identity, and marketers might use it to continuously contact you or people you know.

How can people keep this information private?

• Ask questions before disclosure, asking how the information will be used, protected, and discarded.
• Use debit cards or limit the amount of information you have printed on your checks.
• Change passwords and user names frequently.
• Before discarding a cell phone or any electronic, be sure to delete all previous information.

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