How can you prevent your Information from becoming publicly available?

Answer 1

Every day you share personal information about yourself with others. It's so routine that you may not even realize you're doing it. It's important to find out what happens to the personal information you and your children provide to companies, marketers, and government agencies. These organizations may use your information simply to process your order; to tell you about products, services, or promotions; or to share with others.

Here are some tips to help you manage your personal information wisely, and to help minimize its availability:

• Find out how your information is going to be used: Before you reveal any personally identifying information, find out how it will be used and whether it will be shared with others. Ask about company's privacy policy: Will you have a choice about the use of your information; can you choose to have it kept confidential?
• Property Information: Does your county post property records online?
• Search Engines: Search for yourself. Is your name and contact info affiliated with specific websites or articles that can be easily found? If so, contact the source of this information and ask that your information be removed.
• Unlisted Phone Numbers vs.Unpublished Numbers: Just because you requested an unlisted number doesn't mean your number is unavailable. Unlisted simply means it doesn't appear in a traditional phone book. In many cases your unlisted number can be found though 411 and a variety of other publicly accessible databases. An unpublished number is far more private and is only made available if you volunteer it inadvertently to an organization that shares or sells your information.
• Contests & Offers: Think twice before entering your personal information in exchange for a chance to win a prize. This data can be sold and made widely available.
• Domain Name Registrations: If you own a domain, check your privacy options. Domain owner names are publicly available and easy to track down. If concerned with anonymity, often you can contact the domain host and they can assign a generic owner name.
• Special Licenses or Certifications: If you have a pilot's license or special certification contact the issuer and find out if your information is made available. Depending on the group, your information could be publicly posted without your knowledge.
• Get a Post Office Box: If you reduce the number of places you enter your physical address, you can reduce the chances of your information being shared.
• On your personal checks: use a post office box or business address and a business phone number.
• Avoid Mailing Lists: Tell businesses that you do not wish to be on their mailing lists and that you do not want them to provide your name, address and phone number to other companies.
• Do not complete street directory information forms: (e.g., a request to complete street address information for a commercially published directory other than a telephone book). These directories include alumni directories, church directories, employer directories, etc.
• Avoid completing product warranty or registration cards, consumer surveys, preferred buyer promotions and the like.
• Avoid using preferred shopper, store discount or check cashing cards: These cards generally permit the retailer to compile lifestyle information -- number, ages and sex of people in the household, income level, and similar information -- which is then used to compile targeted mailing lists which are sold for marketing purposes. HOWEVER, do complete registration cards (at least providing your address) for products where recall notices might be critical, such as infant car seats. Indicate on the card that you do not want your information used for targeted marketing.
• Use a Caller I.D. blocking Service: This service will prevent your phone number from being displayed when you call companies or order products.