WISCONSIN (NBC 26) -- The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns people of posting their senior portraits on social media to support the graduating class of 2020. It may seem harmless and fun, but can open you up to scammers or hackers.
BBB says scammers or hackers who are on social media sites will see these #ClassOf2020 posts with revealing information about your high school and graduation year, which are common online security questions. A simple internet search can then reveal more about you, such as any family members, your real name, birthdate, or even where you live.
According to the BBB, everyone should be aware of what they're sharing. Even if you think it's just going to your friends, it could also be going somewhere else.
Other recent viral personal list posts the Bureau mentions include all the cars you've owned with make and model, favorite athletes, and top 10 favorite television shows.
BBB says most people forget that some of these "favorite things" are commonly used passwords or security questions. Meaning if your social media privacy settings aren't high, you could be giving valuable information away for anyone to use.
The BBB gives the following tips to keep you safe on social media:
- Resist the temptation to play along. While it's fun to see other's posts, if you are uncomfortable participating, it is best to not do it.
- Review your security settings. Check your security settings on all social media platforms to see what you are sharing and with whom you are sharing.
- Change security questions/settings. If you are nervous about something you shared possibly opening you up to fraud, review and change your security settings for banking and other websites.
