Tips On Handling Sensitive Materials Here are some actionable items for you to implement while you are waiting for your next shredding appointment. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but, these are simple and effective measures everyone should do.
To protect your privacy, think in twos. Rip in half any documents with vital personal information on them, including Social Security numbers, bank account information, or credit-card numbers. Place them in separate side-by-side trash containers. Empty each trash can at alternating times, so that these sensitive documents can not be reconstructed after you dispose of them. Or, use a an industrial strength shredder.
Use two phone numbers at home. Use a personal mailing address and a “public” mailing address, which can be a post office box, a commercial mail-receiving firm, an office address, or a landlord’s address. This second address will not disclose your physical whereabouts, or that of your children.
Have two Internet service providers and electronic mail providers, one for sensitive uses and the other for “public” uses. Have two credit cards, one for customary use and one used solely for on-line purchases. If something goes wrong on-line, you can cancel that credit card immediately with no inconvenience.
Use a second, out-of-town doctor, to disguise certain sensitive treatments, if necessary.
When you include sensitive data in any electronic files (e.g., Word, Excel, FileMaker, Access), make sure that the computer on which those files are stored is configured to require a strong username/password (i.e. For better protection, you can also assign passwords for databases and spreadsheets.
Don’t fax private documents unless you are sure the receiving fax is secure (i.e., only appropriate individuals have access).
