Even seemingly ordinary information shared on social media can sometimes become a risk to personal security. That’s because various pieces of information posted online may appear harmless in isolation, but combined together, they can reveal a person’s identity, location, daily habits, and even financial information. So when using social media, it’s important to consider what you’re posting, who can see it, and how that information could be used by others.
Photos of national ID cards and passports
Photos of national ID cards, passports, birth certificates or other government identity documents should not be posted on social media. These documents contain important personal information, including your name, date of birth and ID number. Posting a photo of your ID out of excitement over a new passport, or for some other purpose, can let that information fall into the wrong hands. It’s safest not to post photos of government ID documents at all. Even if you need to send one to someone, consider hiding sensitive information first.
Bank account and card information
Bank account numbers, photos of debit or credit cards, card numbers, expiry dates or security codes should never be posted on social media. Many people take a photo and post it after receiving a new card. Others post photos as proof of a transaction, inadvertently revealing their bank account or other important information. Such photos should be carefully checked before posting. It’s safest to keep financial information as private as possible.
Passwords and one-time codes
Never share an account password, PIN or one-time secret code with anyone — and certainly not on social media. Scammers sometimes pose as representatives of a bank, financial institution or a familiar organization to ask for this information. Even if such information is requested through a message or comment, it should never be given. Although a one-time code is valid for only a short period, if it falls into someone else’s hands, it can put your account’s security at risk.
Personal phone numbers and email addresses
Personal phone numbers or email addresses should not be shared publicly unless necessary. Doing so can invite unwanted calls, messages or fraudulent contact attempts. If contact information needs to be shared for business purposes, consider using a separate contact channel instead of a personal number or email. In particular, before writing a phone number in an open comment section, remember that it can be seen not just by the person it’s intended for, but by many others as well.