Guard these 2 pieces of information at all costs

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Today, nearly 2 out of 3 Americans over 65 are internet users, according to a Pew Research Center survey. And, like most Americans, they fail to take the safety measures necessary to protect their online data.

 

For identity thieves, not all personal data is created equal. Sure, thieves can do a bit of damage with your name, address, and phone number. But they can do way more with your Social Security number and date of birth — including opening a credit card account in your name and racking up charges. And leaving you to deal with the payment.

 

 1. Social Security Number 

You already know better than to hand out your Social Security number to strangers. That’s why you take steps to secure your data from malware and hackers and to steer clear of scams.

 

2. Date of Birth

Your date of birth is another story. Heck, you’ve probably shared that information on purpose — for example, on social media sites like Facebook, or even on retail sites to receive coupons on your big day. If so, you’ll want to remove it from those sites right away.

 

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  • FC&A Staff Writer