Don’t Overshare on Social Media
Oversharing on Social Media Could Put You at Risk
Social media is a great way to stay connected, but sharing too much personal information can also give scammers clues they can use against you.
Think Before You Post
- Birthdays: Your full date of birth can help someone piece together your personal information.
- Location: Posting that you’re away from home can let people know your house is unoccupied.
- Pet names and hobbies: Seemingly harmless details may help scammers guess answers to security questions or passwords.
- Family information: Names, birthdays, schools, and other details about family members can make scams seem more believable.
- Travel plans: Wait until you’re home before sharing vacation photos or trip details.
Keep Your Information Private
Review your social media privacy settings and think carefully about what you share publicly. Keep your accounts private unless you must leave them public. Avoid posting information that could be used to guess passwords, answer security questions, or impersonate you.
When it comes to personal information, less is often more.
A few extra seconds of thought before you post can help protect you, your family, and your finances from scammers. Stay safe. Stay aware. And think before you share.
