| | Approval of a credit application, transferring money from one account to another, getting your driver’s license renewed, getting a prescription from your doctor to your pharmacy – think about how easy and fast you can do these things today. A down side of this convenience is that information collected on you may be inaccurate or misused. You could be treated unfairly, or even become a victim of crime. You can help prevent this misuse with these tips:
Look for privacy statements on web sites, sales materials, and forms you fill out. If a web site claims to follow a set of established voluntary standards, read the standards. Don’t assume they provide the level of privacy you want.
Ask what information will be collected and how it may be used. Only do business with those with privacy practices that meet your approval.
Never give anyone your passwords or PIN numbers. Con artists may try to trick you into giving this information.
Do not give personal information to those you don’t know. A credit card number, savings or checking account number, or Social Security number in the wrong hands can be used to steal from you or to steal from others in your name.
Don’t give retailers information that isn’t required. You don’t have to give numbers other than the one you are using for payment. Some states bar merchants from asking consumers to provide additional information on checks or credit card slips. At the supermarket, find out whether a clerk can give you the discount without using the store’s discount card.
Be selective in what you put on warranty registration forms. The company only needs the purchase date, model/serial numbers, and how you can be contacted if there is a product recall. Questions not related to your purchase such as your income and hobbies can be ignored.
Talk about privacy with others in your home. Everyone–even children–should understand what information you feel is not appropriate to share on the phone, while using a computer, and in other situations.
Check with your state or local consumer agency to find out whether there are any state laws that help protect your privacy. Some companies and industry groups have also adopted voluntary policies that address privacy concerns. |
| Protecting your privacy on the Internet must be tackled from several angles. Start by following the general advice on protecting your privacy just discussed. Next, make sure you are using a web site with a sponsor who is protecting you.
Look for a privacy policy statement or seal that indicates the site abides by privacy standards. Take time to read how your privacy is protected.
Look for signals that you are using a secure web page. A secure site encrypts or scrambles personal information so it cannot be easily intercepted. Signals include a screen notice that says you are on a secure site, a closed lock or unbroken key in the bottom corner of your screen, or the first letters of the Internet address you are viewing changes from “http” to “https.”
A relatively new threat to your privacy is spyware—sneaky software that rides its way onto computers during the download of screensavers, games, music and other applications. Spyware sends information about what you're doing on the Internet to a third-party usually to target you with pop-up ads. You will need to install anti-spyware to stop this new threat to your privacy.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires commercial websites to obtain parental consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under 13. For more information, contact the FTC or click on Kids Privacy at www.ftc.gov. |
| The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other federal regulators require banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms and certain businesses who share financial information to tell you their privacy policies. They must give you this information when you open an account, and at least once every year after. They must include:
the kinds of information being collected;
how the confidentiality and security of this information will be protected; and
what types of businesses may be provided this information.
If a business is going to share the information with anyone outside its corporate family, it must also give you the chance to “opt-out” or say no to information sharing. Even if you don’t opt out, your actual account numbers may not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
Your credit information has additional privacy protections under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Only people with a legitimate business need can get a copy of your report. An employer can only get your report with your written consent. |
| People also give personal information to their doctors, which is shared with insurance companies, pharmacies, researchers, and employers.
The Medical Information Bureau is a data bank used by insurance companies that collects and shares information. You can request a copy of your file to be sure the information is accurate. Write to MIB, Inc., PO Box 105, Essex Station, Boston, MA 02112, or call 617-436-3660. There is a fee to obtain a copy of your file.
For the latest information on how the Federal Government protects your personal health information, visit www.hhs.gov/ocr from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the website of the Health Privacy Project (www.healthprivacy.org) or My Health Privacy (nclnet.org/healthprivacy/index.htm) created by the National Consumers League. |
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