| Personal Privacy Identity Theft Protection |
| By Credit Federal |
Published
07/1/2008
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Financial Tips
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Personal Privacy and Identity Theft Protection
How do some creditors and retailers thank you for doing business with them? By violating your personal privacy.Creditors: The credit industry is notorious for abusing personal information by selling customer names, addresses and phone numbers to other creditors. What's worse is that some (such as Regions Bank) make it your job to protect your privacy. For instance: Regions Bank recently sent out "Privacy Policy" letters to its customers. In that letter; in fine print, they state they will indeed share personal information with other entities unless action is taken by the customer (by calling a number and 'opting-out'). Shouldn't this be the other way around? Shouldn't companies be forbidden to share customer personal information unless the customer specifically allows it by 'opting-in'? Perhaps this is one area where federal legislation would be warranted. It seems a shame that it would likely take a law that forbids any company from sharing any customer information unless the cutomer specifically allows such action, just to protect personal privacy and reduce solicitor calls, emails and junk mail.Personal privacy protection is getting more difficult...Retailers: Retailers are also abusing customer information. For example, Domino's Pizza places automated calls to people who had ordered a pizza from them, whether the customers had 'opted-in' or not just like creditors are doing. But are they stopping there? Perhaps; yet once again like some creditors, they may also be sharing customer information with other companies. What's worse is that Domino's Pizza doesn't even first verify the current ownership of customer phone numbers, which means some people who never ordered a Domino's Pizza are receiving the automated calls because someone who previously owned their phone number had placed an order.With personal privacy being abused so blatantly, it's no wonder that Identity Theft Protection services are blossoming. With companies so arrogantly disrepecting the privacy of their own customers, the battle to protect privacy to prevent becoming an identity theft victim is ever harder for consumers.Are these abusers of consumer personal information also passing on; or improperly storing, credit card and bank account numbers along with each person's name, phone number and address? Do they also have; and share, your Social Security Number, date of birth and account numbers?Big Brother: Americans once feared the U.S. government could become a 'Big Brother' that was always watching every person's activities. Maybe 'Big Brother' will become real, but it will be major corporations instead of the government. Corporations can already monitor your purchases and web browsing. And many are selling that data; for a profit, to other entities without your permission.Order your annual free credit report to monitor activity and watch for identity theft or other fraud.Credit Applications: Before you apply for credit, read the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy carefully. If you're not sure you understand, ask for a simpler version in writing that states how they will use your personal information and if they will sell, trade or share it with any other entity.Retailers: Before you make a purchase that asks for or reveals your phone number or any other personal information, ask how they will use your personal information and if they will sell, trade or share it with any other entity. Many retailers have their Privacy Policy posted inside the store. Reality: Certainly it's very time consuming to read the lengthy fine print of every retailer's and creditor's privacy policy, so rely on a circle of friends that help warn each other about questionable creditors and retailers.Fight back. When you get automated or telemarketer calls:1) Ask how you were placed onto their call list (how they got your name/number/address).2) Demand to be 'permanently removed', and demand a letter in writing stating you have been permanently removed.Get satisfaction. If the person/company refuses to tell you how they obtained your personal data and/or they refuse to remove you from their call list or to send you a verification of removal letter, discontine business with that company and warn your friends/family that [COMPANY NAME] abused your personal privacy.If consumers fight back and start hitting abusers of personal information where it hurts them most (in their pocket book by reducing sales), then more companies will clean up their policies... their Privacy Policies.
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