Many individuals share too much personal information online, which puts them at risk for scams. Here are some details you should keep private.

1. Your relationship status

Widows and widowers are particularly vulnerable. Scammers often target these individuals to get access to their inheritance. Take the case of Rosalie Douglass, who identified as a “widow” on her dating profile. Subsequently, she fell victim to scammers who took a staggering $430,000 from her.

Pro tip: If you are a widow or widower, refrain from including this information on your dating and social media accounts. Be cautious about who might be watching.

2. Your vacation plans

Tiffany excitedly announced her family’s cruise on Facebook, even sharing photos of their tickets. She didn’t realize that her booking reference was visible as well. A scammer utilized this information to create a counterfeit account and ultimately canceled her $15,000 vacation.

Pro tip: Broadcasting your vacation plans can invite trouble. Capture your travel memories but wait until you return home to share those photos.

3. Videos of you speaking

With advancements in artificial intelligence, creating deepfake videos has become increasingly simple. Recently on TikTok, a woman named Sam reported that a dubious brand misappropriated her likeness using a video from her social media profile along with deepfake technology.

Pro tip: Be cautious about sharing personal details online, particularly high-quality videos or photos of yourself speaking. Consider setting your social media accounts to “private” for added security.

4. Selling pricey electronics

A man from South Carolina attempted to sell a limited edition PlayStation in a Facebook buy-sell-trade group. Unfortunately, the “buyer” he met turned out to be armed and stole the gaming console along with his phone, wallet, and watch. A frightening experience.

Pro tip: When selling valuable items, arrange to meet in a busy public place during daylight and consider bringing someone along. Meeting in a police department parking lot is a smart safeguard against potential theft.

5. Your fitness activities

Many fitness applications with GPS capabilities track information beyond just your exercise routines. For example, Secret Service agents disclosed the routes of President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris through Strava, as they shared their running paths publicly.

Pro tip: If you use a fitness app, adjust your privacy settings to keep your data hidden. While turning off GPS entirely can limit functionality, it’s wise to at least keep some details private.

6. Your children’s activities and schools

While it’s natural to want to share your children’s experiences, posting pictures in front of their school or detailing their soccer games could compromise their safety. You never know who is observing your posts.

Pro tip: Avoid sharing identifiable information about your children’s schools, teams, or clubs. Offer vague details and be mindful of what’s visible in the background of your photos.

7. Details about your workplace

Sharing too much information about your job can make you susceptible to scams. Targeted phishing attacks often focus on employees with high-level positions, as they may have direct access to sensitive financial data.

The more detailed information you post about your job, such as your employer, role, or project details, the easier you make it for scammers.

Pro tip: Limit the job-related information you share on social media. When celebrating your professional accomplishments, keep specifics to a minimum and only share with trusted friends and family.