With everybody and their Grandma using social networking, posting personal information to sites like Facebook seems harmless. But that's just what criminals want us to think.
It's easy to be lulled into believing Facebook is just a place where we hang out with our friends - virtually, anyway. But in reality, we're hanging out with the 500 million other people who use the social networking tool, say Chicago bankruptcy attorneys. And thanks to laxer settings, a new program and a recent bug, those people have more access than ever to our personal information - jeopardizing our finances and even our safety.
In April, Facebook launched new settings that allow businesses to better view our personal information. A few weeks ago, we learned about a bug that allowed scammers to steal names and photos of Facebook users. Now, the site is debuting Facebook Places, a new feature that allows Facebook users - and their friends - to identify their physical location.
Realistically, a higher risk of fraud is just part of the world we live in. But we can reduce that risk by taking certain precautions. Facebook gives you the option of adjusting privacy settings - use it. Limit your personal info to only what's necessary - for instance, do you really need to include a phone number or birthday? Make sure your friends are the only ones viewing your info. And make sure your "friends" are really friends. If don't know someone enough to trust them - or the people they're connected with on Facebook - don't add them.
Don't forget to use common sense. We've probably all heard that we shouldn't post about our vacation until we're home. By the same token, we should probably think twice about using Facebook Places. You never know when a friend of a friend who happens to know where you live - and heard about that new TV you just bought through the grapevine - might swing by the house while you're out at the movies.
Being financially responsible is about more than saving money, it's about being aware. Aware of how secure your money is. Aware of how your spending habits affect your finances. And aware when you need help. If your debt has spiraled out of control, bankruptcy can rein it in. Learn more when you sign up for a free personal debt analysis with a Chicago bankruptcy attorney.
