Be Careful About Posting Personal Information Online

I love all that the Internet offers in news, entertainment, great social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, and on and on. But at the same time I'm paranoid. And maybe you should be too if you're sharing snippets about your life on the Web. Like a pickpocket working a crowded public venue, cyber thieves could be collecting information that makes victimizing you so much easier with all the personal data you provide.

The more a criminal knows about you -- your likes and dislikes, your habits, you plans -- the easier it is to con or steal from you.

"Sophisticated computer fraud schemes continue to flourish as financial data migrates to the Internet," said Shawn Henry, assistant director for the FBI's cyber division. "It also underscores the need for continued vigilance on the part of law enforcement, businesses, and the home computer user to be aware of these schemes and employ sound security procedures."

The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies recently issued a warning about divulging too much information on social networks. Tweeting about your Memorial Day getaway plans? Post your vacation plans on your Facebook wall? One of your "friends" or followers, may see it as an opportunity to burglarize your home. If you want to tweet about your vacation or holiday plans, do it after the fact.

"Not too many people are giving second thoughts to the personal information they provide, especially the more youthful users," said Peter Spicer, communications manager for Chubb Personal Insurance. "People don't realize that as they drop information someone may be building a composite of who they are."

Spicer said the insurance company hasn't seen a demonstrable increase in claims directly connected to social networking. But the company is exploring what financial dangers people are putting themselves in by telling all their business on these sites.

Tips to help protect you from theft or a financial or personal loss:

• Birthday blackout. Never divulge your date of birth online (month, day or year). It can be used for identity theft or to answer a security question.


• Pet privacy. The name of your pet is a common security question, so keep your pooch's name private or avoid using it as your security answer or password.


• Trash talking. Increasingly employers are searching online for information about prospective hires. So don't trash your last employer or you might risk losing a job opportunity.


• Neighbor nastiness. You may have an incredibly bad neighbor, but be careful about posting comments about your battles. Derogatory comments can be used against you in a defamation lawsuit, Spicer said.

• Never divulge your street address or even your building if you live in an apartment or condo. Thieves are good at connecting the dots.
• Keep you kid's names offline if possible, especially if they are small. And think twice before tweeting or posting too much information about your kids activities, whereabouts and their schedules.

These tips may seem like simple, common sense. And yet take a closer look at the postings of friends and strangers online, like me you'll see some of the listed mistakes.

Final thought: If you want to tweet or post things about your life or family, find a secure way to do that. Opening up your life online with TMI (too much information) could attract the wrong kind of attention and may hurt you.