Privacy Basics | Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Why Privacy

Privacy Survival Guide: Take Control of Your Personal Information

Fact Sheet 1Privacy Survival Guide:
Take Control of Your Personal Information

Every day most of us give away information about ourselves -- sometimes knowingly and other times when we do not even realize it. You are your best privacy protector. It pays to:

* Be Aware * Be Assertive * Be an Advocate

Be aware of how and when you give out personal information. Find out what information about you is stored in major industry and government data bases.

Privacy Basics and Opt-Out Strategies

Fact Sheet 1aPrivacy Basics and Opt-Out Strategies

Every day most of us give away information about ourselves -- sometimes knowingly and other times when we do not even realize it. You are your best privacy protector. This guide will teach you how to be aware, be assertive and be an advocate in protecting your personal information. Learn to request your consumer reports, protect your financial privacy, safeguard your Social Security number, limit telemarketing calls and opt-out of unsolicited pre-approved credit card offers.

Checklist of Responsible Information-Handling Practices

Fact Sheet 12Checklist of Responsible Information-Handling Practices

Personal Data Retention and Destruction Plan

Fact Sheet 12aPersonal Data Retention and Destruction Plan

At Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, we believe your right to privacy is about being in control of your personal information. An obvious part of that equation is keeping good personal records. Just like companies have data retention and destruction policies, so should you. Read our newest fact sheet on creating a personal data retention and destruction plan.

A New Year for Privacy: The PRC Launches Online Complaint Center

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC) is proud to announce the launch of an interactive online complaint center designed to serve as a clearinghouse for consumer privacy complaints. This builds upon our 19-year history of troubleshooting consumers’ complaints and questions regarding a wide variety of information privacy issues, including background checks, debt collection, data breaches, financial information, and online data brokers. The PRC's staff will review and respond to every complaint, providing individuals with information and strategies to address their problem.

Summer Vacation: 6 Tips to Protect Your Privacy

For thousands of families across America, summer vacation is right around the corner. And thieves know it. According to the FBI, crime rates rise about 10% during summer months. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse urges you to stay safe by following these six privacy tips.

Our Top 5 Privacy Tips for National Consumer Protection Week

March 6-12 is the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week! To celebrate, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is joining forces with government agencies and nonprofits to education consumers on important privacy issues. This year, we’re highlighting our top five privacy tips from our most popular fact sheets. Please join us! Participate in National Consumer Protection Week by sharing these tips with your friends and family. Together, we can empower consumers and protect privacy.

The New Year’s Biggest Privacy Risks

Many Americans are wrapping up a holiday season filled with online shopping, Facebook status updates, and gifts of smartphones and eBook readers. Now that the New Year is upon us, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is urging Americans to pay attention to the privacy risks that accompany these trending technologies.

Disasters and Your Privacy

Nobody likes to think about the possibility of a natural disaster or a terrorist act. But as victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina can attest, it’s important to prepare for a disaster before it happens. Certainly, your first concerns in an emergency should be your safety and basic needs such as shelter, food and water. While there are many resources that can assist you with those concerns, this alert will focus on protecting your privacy and personal information during and after a disaster.

It’s important to realize that different types of disasters are likely to result in different consequences. You may be asked to shelter in place, to evacuate to a facility in your own community, or possibly to relocate to a far-off location in another state. Or you may choose to stay with a relative or friend. Likewise, you may be able to return to your home after a short while, or there may be an extended period of absence. In the worst case, your home and its contents may be completely destroyed.

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