Your date of birth is often used as a verification tool for a variety of services from banking and healthcare to social media and government applications. Scammers know this. Once they get hold of your full name and date of birth, they’re already a few steps closer to impersonating you.
Many companies and organizations use birth dates as part of their security verification process.If a scammer gains access to your birth date, along with other publicly available information (like youraddress or phone number), they can potentially bypass security checks and gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
Birth Dates Aid in Social Engineering
Social engineering is the act of manipulating people into giving up confidential information. When a scammer knows your birth date, they can craft more convincing phishing emails, text messages,
or phone calls. For instance, they may pretend to be from your bank, referencing your birth date to appear legitimate. These tactics often trick people into revealing passwords, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive data.
In some cases, scammers use birth dates to guess or reset passwords. Since many people use their birth year or exact birth date in their passwords, a hacker with this information could easily break into online accounts.
Data Breaches and Identity Theft
Data breaches happen frequently, exposing millions of records at a time. If your birth date is leaked along with other personal details, it becomes even easier for fraudsters to steal your identity. With your date of birth, full name, and maybe even an address, scammers can open credit card accounts, apply for loans, or even file fake tax returns in your name.
How to Protect Your Birth Date
Limit what you share online – Don’t display your full birth date on social media profiles or public websites.
Be cautious with forms – Only provide your birth date when it’s absolutely necessary.
Use strong, unique passwords – Avoid using your birth date in passwords or PINs.
Monitor your accounts – Keep an eye out for suspicious activity, and consider using identity theft protection services.
Your birth date may seem like an innocent piece of information, but in the wrong hands, it can be a powerful tool for scammers. Stop sharing it.
