Why SPOKEO Knows TOO Much!

By on October 10, 2011 in Business ROCKS, Family, Finance & Your Future, Featured

I had a friend over the other night and we got to talking about personal safety, social sharing, and protecting personal identity. She shared with me a site called http://www.spokeo.com/.  I was SHOCKED when I found out that they had multiple listings for me in Sacramento, CA as I thought I had removed my information not too long ago. Not only does Spokeo list your name and contact information, it also lists how much you make per year, your social profiles, a map of your house location, and MORE!

I share a lot on social media, but I am careful NEVER to share a few things to retain my personal safety and the saftety of my family.

Seven Things I NEVER SHARE:

1. Accurate Birthday Information for me or anyone in the family.

Aside from the obvious reasons,  ”A woman who will tell her age will tell anything!” – Mary Kay Ash

2. My Connection to My Mom.  The mother’s maiden name is often used as a password security question and a personal identifier.

3. Accurate Anniversary Information. This is another one that is sometimes used in security questions.

4. Social Security Number For Anyone in My Family. This is obvious, and it really hits home for our family as my daughter’s social security number was stolen when she was little.

5. Home/Cell Phone Number. All of the numbers listen online are business numbers or Google Voice numbers.

6. Where I Am in Real Time. I don’t “check in” to places because, I am very aware that rape, muggings, and abductions happen. No one needs to know where I am except the people I am with and my family.

7. When I Am Going Away.  I have actually broken my own rule on this a few times, but it is a known fact that often burglaries happen when people are KNOWN to be gone. We do our best to not share when were are leaving or when we are coming home except for with the people who are watching our house while we are gone.

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About Sarah

Married to the Love of my Life and firmly committed to focusing on finesse, e.g. creating systems at home (3 children), work, and as an author and speaker who teaches how to use systems of thinking, actions, and organization to simplify life. After all, who wants to work harder for less when they don't have to!
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6 Responses to Why SPOKEO Knows TOO Much!

  1. Katrina October 10, 2011 at 4:10 pm #

    A good list of things….will be sharing this

  2. Kate Wilber October 10, 2011 at 4:58 pm #

    Wow! It is really scary how much is out there on the internet about all of us..that we may not even realize! Thanks for the great tips! Everyone should follow these rules!

  3. JoAnne Funch October 10, 2011 at 7:35 pm #

    great advice Sarah, sometime there is simply too much transparency

  4. SarahLCook October 11, 2011 at 8:42 am #

    Katrina – glad you found it helpful!

    Kate – It is scary and that’s why we have to be careful what we share and what we don’t. We also have to be vigilant about checking sites like Spokeo to see what information they are sharing about us!

    JoAnne – So true! Being transparent and being ignorant are not the same thing!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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    [...] shocked to find out the information they had listed about me, my husband and my children. Not only does Spokeo list your name and contact information, it also lists how much you make xer year, your social profiles, a map of [...]
  2. Raising CEO Kids Review July 30 – Aug 11 | Raising CEO Kids - August 11, 2012

    [...] shocked to find out the information they had listed about me, my husband and my children. Not only does Spokeo list your name and contact information, it also lists how much you make per year, your social profiles, a map of [...]

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