Posting - Privacy Tips

[Frank&Mike]

I recall some general advice was previously discussed somewhere on the Forums about exercising caution when sharing emails, phone #s, etc. to ensure Spammers don't obtain your information and start using it.

What is the best way to share this information? Via a private message between individuals?

[Florida 55]

I typically share email address and phone numbers by PM. So far no unpleasant consequences. I agree posting email addresses and phone numbers in public forums is risky.

Some of us are also cautious about posting in public forums about our location when away from home. There is the potential thieves will read travel forums and rob the homes of people who are away.

The need to exercise precaution with one's personal information is one of the unfortunate consequences of living in a high tech society with high tech criminals.

[ReySFaust]

Same as in any social media, Facebook and others, we have to take extra care about posting our private information and travel plans.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Florida 55

I typically share email address and phone numbers by PM. So far no unpleasant consequences. I agree posting email addresses and phone numbers in public forums is risky.

Some of us are also cautious about posting in public forums about our location when away from home. There is the potential thieves will read travel forums and rob the homes of people who are away.

It helps if your Forums name has nothing to do with your real name. Makes it that much harder for someone reading the Forums from finding who you are and where you live.

Also, if you post pictures of your Airstream or other vehicles, edit the photo to block out the license plate number. Anyone who knows your plate number and the state it's registered in can go to the DMV and with only a bit of effort and a small fee can get all of your personal information, by virtue of ordering a duplicate registration.

I know, because I did exactly that, to track down someone who did a hit-and-run number on one of my vehicles in a parking lot, where the police had no jurisdiction and wouldn't even take a report. Around here, the police will only write a report on motor vehicle accidents that happen on public thoroughfares, not private property. But that's a separate issue. In any event, don't post pictures that show your license plate!

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

It helps if your Forums name has nothing to do with your real name. Makes it that much harder for someone reading the Forums from finding who you are and where you live.

True, true.

More importantly, do not use your email addy username as a username anywhere on the web -- especially if you use one of the broadly used free email providers like gmail, yahoo, hotmail, aol, etc. For instance, if your email is alphabeta@gmail.com, do not have alphabeta as your username here at AIR. Spammers run bots that match usernames to the free providers' domains; the bots send out emails with that username. They will get responses that alphabeta@yahoo.com doesn't exist, and on and on. Their automated bot picks up that it didn't get a return message from gmail and thus adds that to their spam lists they can sell. Use the 'Contact Us' link at page bottom to request that tech support help with any username change (suggest your preferred unique username of course).

Never publicly post your email addy, phone # or street address anywhere on the web.

If you have included your street address, phone # or VIN in your public profile (here's mine), site management will continue to keep these sensitive details hidden from view. You can view your own details when looking at your profile but other members cannot see such clearly private info.

I private message for everything I do with forum communication. If you do elect to use the profile option to email another member (if their profile is configured to allow that), then you will be revealing your email address.

Using the 'Contact Seller' link at classifieds also reveals your email address -- we want it very clear that classified transactions are between private parties and that members are responsible for establishing their own bona fides. The comment section under any ad is a good place to ask questions without revealing your email address.