Prevent Identity Theft: Safe Ways to Store and Share Personal Information Online

Texts, emails, and apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger make staying connected with family and friends so easy. But when it comes to using these methods to share private information with them or professionals, it’s important to be careful.

In this article, learn how sensitive information you send can remain on your devices long after you hit send, and how that information could be used for identity theft if your accounts are ever compromised. We’ll also cover the kinds of personal information commonly stored on devices, along with safer ways to store and share it online.

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Sensitive Data You Share Can Stay on Your Devices

Personal information sent through email, text messages, or apps can hang around on your phone, computer, and online servers longer than you’d like.

Sending an email may leave a copy in “Sent” folders, Cloud storage, or the trash bin even after you've deleted it. Texts and messaging apps can also keep records of conversations and attachements. It's as if they hide in 'secret drawers' you can't see.

That can become a problem if a device or account is ever hacked. Scammers are more sophisticated than ever.

Information hackers could find that should be protected includes passwords, Medicare numbers, bank account or routing numbers, driver’s license or passport details, medical reports, legal documents, home alarm codes, and even your full name paired with your date of birth.

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Safe Ways to Store and Share Personal Information

When you need to share private information, try not to send through regular texts, emails, or apps. Also, avoid saving the information you're sending directly to your computer or phone whenever possible.

Use these safe tools for complete security instead:

Upload Button

If a medical office, tax preparer, financial advisor, insurance agent, estate planner or anther professional requests documents from you, avoid sending them through email if possible. Instead, look for a secure upload button on their website. This allows documents to go directly from your computer to theirs without sitting in your email history. If you are unsure, call the office and ask if they have a safer preferred method for sending documents.

Google Drive

If you must send documents via email, Google Drive can be a safe option. It’s a free online storage service that allows you to upload a document and share it using a secure link instead of attaching the file directly to an email. You can limit access to one specific person and set files to “view only,” which helps reduce the chances of information being copied, changed, or forwarded.

Bitwarden

Bitwarden works like a secure digital safe for passwords, payment information, identity documents, and private notes, and offers a safe way to share info when needed. Some features can even allow information to expire after a certain amount of time, limit how many times it can be viewed, or require an added security code for access.

Traditional Mail

For highly sensitive paperwork, physical delivery can still be one of the most reliable choices.

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Schedule an Identity Protection Review

If you are unsure about the safety of your personal information in your email or on your devices, book an Identity Protection Review with Bright Concierge.

During an Identity Protection review, we’ll pretend to be hackers searching your computer and email accounts for sensitive information stored in unsafe places. Then, we’ll secure it properly.

Communication through technology should feel convenient, not stressful. A few safer habits can go a long way toward protecting your personal information.