It’s easy to see why emailing personal information, such as your social security number (SSN), or private documents like bank statements, might seem like a convenient option. However, the reality is that emailing sensitive information can be dangerous, and it’s important to understand the risks involved.
In this guide, we will explore the dangers of emailing your SSN, and provide practical tips and solutions for protecting your personal information. We will also help you better understand how you could use a secure and convenient app, like WayWiser, as an alternative to emailing sensitive information when it comes to caring for your own personal information and vital documents.
Understanding the Risks of Emailing Your Social Security Number
Email is a widely used tool for communication, but it is not the most secure. When you email your SSN, or any sensitive information or documentation, it is transmitted over the internet, where it can potentially be intercepted by cybercriminals, identity thieves, and other malicious actors. There is even a chance of doing this yourself without realizing it—sending the information to a falsified address or by simply typing in the wrong access on accident.
Once your social security number has been sent, it can also be saved, forwarded, or copied by the recipient, increasing the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. And unfortunately, once your SSN, or any other piece of identifying information has been compromised, it can be extremely difficult to regain control of your personal information and repair the damage.
Finding a Secure Solution for Sharing Sensitive Information
Is it safe to email your social security number to a stranger? Not really. But the good news is that there is a solution that does allow you to share sensitive information, such as your SSN, in a secure and convenient way with those you trust.
WayWiser is an app that uses advanced encryption technology to protect your personal information, ensuring that it is transmitted securely and only accessible by the intended members of your Trusted Circle. With WayWiser, you can control access to your data, revoke it at any time, and have peace of mind knowing that your information is both safe from prying eyes and available at the touch of a button if and when one of your family members needs access.
Protecting Your Personal Information: Tips and Best Practices
In addition to using an app such as WayWiser, there are several other steps you can take to protect your personal information:
- Store your Social Security Card and any other vital documents securely: Keep your documents in a secure location where you know you can find them when needed. This could be a lockbox in your house or even a safety deposit box at the bank. Of course, you’ll want to be able to access some of these at a moments notice, which is why a secure digital space, like WayWiser is so important.
- Be cautious with email: Avoid emailing sensitive information, including your SSN, whenever possible.
- Watch out for phishing scams: Be vigilant of emails or phone calls that ask for your SSN or other personal information. Legitimate organizations will never request this information via email or phone call.
- Check your credit reports regularly: Checking your credit reports on a regular basis can help you catch any suspicious activity early on and take action to resolve the issue. You can even consider freezing your credit.
- Use strong passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for all of your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Take a look at this article on password authenticators and consider using one.
- Limit the sharing of your SSN: Only share your SSN with necessary organizations and limit the number of people who have access to this information.
Conclusion
While emailing your social security number may seem like a convenient option, it is not the safest. By taking the steps outlined in this guide and using a secure app like WayWiser, you can protect your personal information from potential identity theft, financial fraud, and other malicious activities. Take control of your sensitive information and feel confident in its security.
