Like or not, we all probably give it at least a quick thought whenever we make a purchase – identity theft. Major data management breaches at global retailers – and the subsequent mass media coverage – doesn’t help. We like the convenience of being connected to everything, but we also worry about the measures companies take to protect our information.
The topic also gets considerable coverage in the media. A recent Business2Community post by David Fowler touched on this very topic, especially since the data theft of social security numbers and other sensitive information for four million current and former government employees.
While those of us who don’t work for the government had little to worry about, the reality is these breaches and thefts keep happening. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), there have been 348 breaches in 2015 to date, with more than 107 million people affected. If you’re counting, that means we’ve already hit an average of two per day, yet we really only pay attention to the big ones or when it happens to us.
In the public accounting realm, this is a real problem. Certified public accountants are finding that the number of individuals on their client list who had their social security numbers stolen to file fraudulent tax returns more than tripled this year. While there are steps to fix the problem, no one wants to have to go through those steps just because someone, somewhere is trying to milk the system for money that they have no right to claim.
For some of those individuals, it was out of their control that their information was stolen. For others, it’s simply laziness when it comes to their data management. We live in a digital environment and we are digital citizens – which means we have a certain level of responsibility when it comes to managing our information. That means being aware of the digital information we provide, whether it’s voluntary or not.
Did you know that the organizations you do business with will share your information with their partners unless you ask them not to? The opt-out is one of the most important tools in a marketing strategy for the protection of the consumer. It reduces the amount of your information that hits the Web and gives you better control over the relationship you have with your vendors.
The main point is you have to pay attention. Your digital information is readily up for grabs until you’re proactively protecting it as your own. This means requesting opt-outs, checking your credit report and actively paying attention to how your information is used. If it doesn’t add value for you, end the relationship.