Sharing is Not Always Caring: 7 Risks of Posting Personal Information Online

In today’s digital world, the impulse to share every moment of our lives online can lead to serious consequences. While sharing can foster connections, it also opens the door to potential threats. Here are seven critical pieces of information you should think twice about before posting online.

Understanding the Risks of Sharing Online

Social media platforms offer a space for us to connect, share experiences, and celebrate milestones. However, the information that seems harmless can make you a target for scammers and malicious individuals. Here’s a breakdown of what to avoid sharing online and why it’s essential to keep this information private.

1. Your Relationship Status

One of the most vulnerable statuses to share is your relationship status. This is particularly true for widows and widowers, who can become prime targets for fraudsters looking to exploit their emotional state. Take the case of Rosalie Douglass, who, after listing her relationship status as “widow,” fell victim to two scammers that cost her a staggering $430,000.

Pro Tip: If you’re navigating online dating as a widow or widower, consider keeping your status private to protect yourself from potential scams.

2. Your Vacation Plans

While it’s tempting to share excitement about upcoming trips, doing so can broadcast your absence from home. Tiffany learned this the hard way when she shared details about her Carnival cruise, including her booking reference number. A scammer used that information to cancel her trip, costing her family $15,000.

Pro Tip: Hold off on posting vacation plans until you return home. Share your travel photos and stories later to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

3. Videos of You Speaking

With the rise of deepfake technology, sharing videos of yourself can lead to identity theft or misuse of your likeness. Recently, a TikTok user named Sam reported that a brand used her video to create a deepfake advertisement without her consent.

Pro Tip: Limit posting videos that showcase your face or voice. Adjust your social media settings to private to add an extra layer of security.

4. Expensive Items for Sale

Selling high-value items online can be risky, as demonstrated by a South Carolina man who was robbed at gunpoint by a buyer while selling a limited-edition PlayStation.

Pro Tip: When selling valuable items, always meet in well-lit, public places, preferably during daylight hours, and consider bringing a friend for added safety.

5. Personal Fitness Routes

Fitness tracking apps can inadvertently reveal sensitive information, including your daily routes. This was highlighted when Secret Service agents unintentionally disclosed the movements of high-profile individuals by using Strava.

Pro Tip: Change your fitness app settings to private to protect your location data. Consider disabling GPS features if necessary, but be mindful of how it may affect your app’s functionality.

6. Details About Your Children’s Activities

While it’s natural to want to celebrate your children’s achievements, posting specifics about their school or extracurricular activities can expose them to danger. Sharing photos in front of schools or detailed schedules can attract unwanted attention.

Pro Tip: Keep posts about your children vague and avoid sharing identifiable information about schools, teams, or events.

7. Your Employment Information

Posting details about your job can set you up for spear-phishing scams, where fraudsters target individuals with personalized attacks. Mid- and high-level employees are often the most at risk due to their access to sensitive company information.

Pro Tip: Limit the specifics you share about your job, including your role and projects. Keep career achievements vague and share only with trusted friends and family.

Staying Safe in the Digital Age

In a world where sharing is the norm, it’s crucial to remain vigilant about the information you post online. By keeping certain details private, you can reduce the risk of becoming a target for scammers and protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay informed and take proactive steps to safeguard your digital presence.