Young people are being warned of the consequences of sharing too much information on social media by Cifas – the UK’s fraud prevention trade body of banks, retailers, insurers and others.
Beware what you share is a new publication, designed to highlight the often unexpected dangers of posting too much information online through social networking sites.
The document aims to show what a fraudster will see when you post holiday details, and what privacy settings on popular social networking sites can mean in privacy and security terms. Beware what you share encourages users to think about how information might be used by those who are not in your close circle of friends and family.
Richard Hurley, Cifas Communications Manager, says: “With a new academic year in its infancy, and the festive season looming on the horizon, the latter part of the year is invariably one where young people will be meeting new people and creating lasting friendships that will last a lifetime. Social media, of course, is now an essential part of that process too.
“But in the same way that you would not advertise all of your personal details in the pub to a group of people you have not long known, you need to be very careful that you do not share far too much information online.”
The second in a planned series educating young people about fraud and how to protect themselves, the publication has been sent to universities, colleges and is available online. The aim is not to stop social media use, but to educate young people of the potential risks that they will face by in effect living their life in public. Containing eight examples of “seeing what a fraudster might see when looking at your social media profiles”: from highlighting that you are away from home and that your house is empty, through to where you work, are from and companies you have online accounts with – each small piece of information can be used to create a much larger picture, increasing your chances of falling victim to fraud.
Richard Hurley adds: “The pressures on young people – to fit in, to socialise, to make friends and so on – are immense. Social media is undoubtedly the easiest way to do that. But it is worth remembering, would you – in a pub, with people you were only just getting to know – tell them all about your address, holiday plans, shopping habits and the rest? No – you would not open yourself up so quickly. What Beware what you share highlights, very succinctly, is how putting too much information online is the equivalent of telling a stranger everything about yourself at a first meeting. The vast majority of people are, of course, simply wanting to connect and be friends with you, but you need to be aware that there are some people who are just waiting to use the information you reveal against you.”
Visit: www.cifas.org.uk/bewarewhatyoushareguide.
