10 Things You Should Never Share on Social Media

Clark.com Staff | March 27th, 2020

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Do you put a lot of information about yourself on social media? There’s a chance it may be used in ways you might not have intended.

In fact, you may even be putting yourself at risk for identity theft by sharing too much information.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some things you should think twice before posting online for the world to see.

Do Not Post These Things on Social Media

Any single piece of this information listed below could help a crook steal your identity, wreak financial havoc in your life or just simply learn too much about you.

If you’re putting any of these things out there on your profile, take the information down right now.

Full Birth Date

Your date of birth is a critical piece of information a criminal needs to commit identity theft against you.

A survey conducted by Visa found that almost half of respondents said they disclose their birthday on social media.

Phone Number

Visa found some 29% of people admitted to sharing their phone numbers, too.

With the variety of phone scams out there, why would you ever do this?

Home Address

Twenty percent of people list their home address on social media, according to Visa.

We’ve heard recently about everything from fake package delivery scams at home addresses to criminals posing as utility workers and showing up at people’s homes with the threat that they’ll turn off the power if they’re not paid.

All the more reason not to give out your home address information on social media.

Mother’s Maiden Name

Every Mother’s Day, we see people putting up pictures of their mother and tagging her in the photo.

Some 14% of people say they list their mother’s maiden name on social media.

But don’t do it! Your mother’s maiden name is another key piece of information a crook needs to breach your identity and apply for credit in your name.

Social Security Number

Could there be a worse thing to share from an identity theft perspective?

Yet 7% of people fess up to posting their Social Security number on social media.

Not only shouldn’t you share your Social Security number, but you should also go one step further: Do a credit freeze to limit the ability of the crooks to open new lines of credit in your name.