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Identity theft

(4 Posts)
nanna8 Tue 19-Apr-22 09:49:03

Reading the thread about grandparents and names I was thinking about how so many online entities ask for your birthdate when it hardly seems their business. I was told never to give this information out, except for things like passport renewal or medical. With this in mind,I often make birthdates up and then get surprised when these various merchants send me ‘ birthday’ cards. Amazing the number of cards I get on New Year’s Day ! Identity theft is a real problem these days. I use a slightly different name sometimes for online goods and services and it is useful when someone sends an email using that name because I can delete it without bothering to read it.

BlueSky Tue 19-Apr-22 10:01:12

Same here nanna8 also those posts on social media like fb, where you are supposed to give personal details away. Like you I give made up answers, and like you I alter my DOB slightly when it seems necessary to place an online order.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 19-Apr-22 10:43:55

A good reason not to respond to GN threads asking what your grandparents names were and how old are you.

Fodder for scammers…

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 19-Apr-22 11:05:27

Exactly what I thought about both those threads so didn’t contribute. Anyone can read them.