IF YOU WANT TO BE PRIVATE-STAY PRIVATE!

In thinking about ways to protect our individual privacy, we first need to become aware of ways that we give up that right. This is done in many way, many of which seem so benign that we never really think twice about them....Until we realize that our privacy has been breached.

I'd like to mention just a handful of different ways that the average person gives away their information in the most familiar settings, for instance:

Grocery stores-do you feel compelled to give out ALL your information when filling out those handy little discount cards for the check out? I've seen some that were quite 'nosy'.They wanted name, address, phone numbers, sometimes socialist security card numbers and some even ask if you are a full-time or part-time resident of the state you live in. Do you ever ask yourself why they need to know all this merely to extend a discount on particular items?
Most of the information is stored in a databank for their corporation and they keep it handy to send out circulars, coupons and for TRACKING what you buy so that they can 'better gauge what specials you may be interested in'. That may not sound like too big a deal but with the state of our country and the joining of information with all databanks through our old friends at Homeland Security, why make it that much easier for anyone to know ANY of your business?
Why give away your personal phone number, address and residential history just for the sake of saving a few pennies?
What I have done is this: I know from talking to the store personnel that only the bare minimum of information is needed to secure a discount card. I filled one out with my 'other' name that I use when I want to guard my privacy and give them a post office box number. That's all they needed. I get my discount and keep my privacy.

Mail-in Surveys-You ever get those surveys in the mail that promise to give you coupons and samples for free if you just fill out their survey sheet?
Think about what sort of questions they ask on these surveys.....do you use this type of product...have you ever tried this....do any of your family members have this or that type of medical condition......do you think you will be purchasing this or that.....what is your annual income......how many people live in your household........how many cars do you own........will you be moving soon,etc. etc. ad infinitum! They are worse than the U.S. Census Bureau! Most folks think that if they take half an hour to fill out the survey, somehow they will magically save all kinds of money with great deals down the road. Even if you did folks, now the survey company has all your personal information and is gladly sharing most of it with every manufacturer, corporation, dealership and BIG PHARMA company that has solicited that gathering of information with your stamp of approval.

Asking for your phone number and/ or address at the check-out- This is my personal pet peeve! I am about to purchase an item at Toys R Us or Radio Shack and instead of just ringing me up and taking my money....they want my phone number or address first! That's bad enough, but why should I recite all this private information in front of anyone that happens to be within earshot? I just say "NO!". Actually, what I say is, " No thank you, that information is private," and leave it at that. Believe me, it's not as if you won't be 'allowed' to leave without your merchandise if you don't play their game. Maybe, you'll even get the poor drone behind the counter to think!

It's important to stay on your toes and question everything. Most of us in America have been cultivated with a true 'Sheeple' mentality. We go from day to day and do not question why someone would want our most personal information. The Bible says to walk 'circumspectly', which means to look around and notice what is about you. Question everything and ask yourself, 'Why do these people want this information?" Remember-you only lose the privacy that you yourself give away.