Revealing sensitive personal data on social media can trigger identity theft
by Katherine Skiba
Once you have received a COVID-19 vaccine, don’t post a photo of your vaccine card on social media, the Better Business Bureau warns.
Typically, such cards contain your name, date of birth, patient number and other information that bad actors can use to steal your identity and commit fraud. That’s especially true if your privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram or other social platforms are not strict, allowing the image to be widely shared, says Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.
Even where you were vaccinated should be kept private, the bureau says. If you’ve already posted a photo of a vaccine card, here are some options: Remove it; redact the information that should be confidential and repost the image; or replace the image with a harmless sticker that gives you bragging rights for having rolled up your sleeve — but doesn’t jeopardize your identity. Or consider putting a new “frame” that conveys your vaccine status around your profile photo…
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