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Who Has My information?
Lots of businesses have information about you.
Every time you use a loyalty card, buy things on line or sign up for an account you are giving information about yourself.
Businesses have to be honest with you about why they want your information and what they are going to do with it.
They also have to keep your information safe.
Should I Check The Terms And Conditions?
When you sign up for a new service or product, make sure you know what you are agreeing to.
Will you be put on a mailing list? Will your details be given to someone else?
If it is unclear what is going to happen with your information, ask.
If you are worried, do not provide your information.
Go to a different business if you are not happy.
Take your time – do not be pressured into anything.
If you want to think about it, or you want to check with family and friends, say so. Any genuine business will respect your wishes.
Can I See What Information A Business Has About Me?
You can ask to see the information that a business has about you.
If it is wrong, you can ask for the details to be corrected or deleted.
Do I have to Tell Anyone About My Finances?
Only share financial information with people if you want to – even relatives or friends.
If someone pushes you to sign something or provide information, say no.
Take time to check with a friend, relative, lawyer or Citizens Advice Bureau (0800 367222).
If you think your financial information is being misused tell someone trustworthy like the bank, a friend or the police.
What Happens If I Cannot Manage My Affairs Any More?
An enduring power of attorney lets another make financial decisions on your behalf.
Pick someone you trust.
You will need to get legal advice before signing any paperwork.
Nobody can force you to give them an enduring power of attorney, even your relatives. Also, you can change your mind about who your attorney is.
Should I Share My Pin Numbers?
Never give anyone your pin numbers, bank security numbers, or passwords.
If you have to write them down to remember them, keep then in a hidden place – not in your wallet or by the phone.
How Would I Know If Someone Took Money From My Account?
Check bank and credit card statements regularly to make sure there are no surprise withdrawals or purchases.
Contact the bank if there is anything unusual.
Organisations like the Office for Senior Citizens (04 916 3758) and Age Concern have more information on protecting your finances.
How Do I Protect My Passwords?
Choose a password that is difficult for others to guess.
For example, do not use your pet’s name, your birthday, or 1234.
Preferably, use a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols.
It is safest to use different passwords for different accounts.
If one password is compromised, the rest of your accounts will still be safe.
If you need to write down your passwords, keep them hidden somewhere (not in your wallet, or by your phone).
How Do I Protect My Information Online?
Make sure you have got up-to-date anti-virus software, especially if you are shopping or banking online.
Look for the padlock on a webpage, which suggests it is secure.
Emails from people you do not know often contain viruses that let others access your computer.
Do not click on any links or attachments and delete the emails without responding.
Never email personal details like your bank account or credit card number to anyone, even if you think they are a friend. You do not always know who you are dealing with online.
Think carefully before sending an email or putting something on a webpage. Once your information is out there, you cannot take it back.
If you use Facebook, set your profile to private so you only share information with people you choose.
You can protect others too. If you forward an email, take previous addressees’ names off the message.
There Are So Many Scams – How Do I Spot One?
The commonest scams include emails asking you to send money to a friend or Organisation, letters saying you have won a prize, or calls or visitors saying your computer needs fixing or your house needs painting.
They are run by people trying to steal money or get your information.
If a stranger tries to sell you something, beware.
If an offer sounds too good to be true, or sounds weird, it is almost certainly a scam.
A bank or Inland Revenue will never contact you to ask you to confirm your password, credit card or account details.
How Can I Protect Myself?
Scammers can sound very plausible.
So it is best not to give any information about yourself to stranger – especially on the phone, at your door, or on your computer.
Put the phone down, close your door, or delete the email.
Genuine businesses will not put pressure on you. They will be happy to prove who they are. They will let you speak to a manager, and they will give you time to consider what you want to do.
Check with your relatives or friends if you are not sure whether something is a scam.
How Can I Protect Other People?
Tell relatives, neighbors or the police if you think there is a scammer around.
The Scamwatch website has a list of the latest scams
Who Needs My Health Information?
Health professionals often need a lot of information to give you the right health care.
But you have control over who can get information about your health.
If you are unsure why your health professional is asking particular questions, ask them to explain. They will be able to tell you why they need that information and what they are going to do with it.
If you do not understand, ask then to repeat what they have said. It can be useful to take a support person to appointments with you, to hear what is said and remember what happened.
Can I Ask To See My Hospital Or Doctor’s Records?
You can ask to see any information your health professionals have about you. It is usually free, but you might have to pay for copies of expensive items like x-rays.
If you think your health information is wrongly recorded, ask for a correction to be put on your file so your views will be considered.
What Information Can My Family Get?
Whatever your age, family support is often very important for your health.
Also, family often worry if they do not know what is going on.
Tell health professionals and family what support you want and what information you are happy to share.
This choice is yours. If you do not want health information to be shared, let them know.
Concerned about your privacy?
Phone 0800 803 909 or
Email: The Privacy Commission