Removing Your Digital Trail: Keeping Your Data Secure from Scam Artists

In the digital age, personal information is a valuable commodity, often collected by businesses without explicit consent. This data, which can include phone numbers, home addresses, emails, passwords, and more, is constantly being gathered and held onto indefinitely unless requested for deletion.

The collection of personal data can lead to various issues, such as scams, spam, and fraud. To help combat this, several services like DeleteMe, Incogni, Optery, and PrivacyHawk have emerged, offering assistance in deleting personal data.

One such service, PrivacyHawk, syncs with your inbox to find and delete data that could potentially be used against you. According to Aaron Mendes, the CEO of PrivacyHawk, deleting personal data can provide significant protection against identity theft, scams, phishing texts, and targeted ads.

In the USA, some companies and data brokers offer services for deleting personal information, often under privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which grants consumers rights to request deletion of their data. Moody's Corporation, for example, mentions allowing data deletion requests under CCPA.

Several states, including Illinois, have regulations requiring businesses to delete certain types of data. However, it's important to note that no service can remove all personal data, and some information, such as that leaked on the dark web, cannot be removed.

Recent reports by the ABC7 I-Team have shown how personal information can be used against individuals, with some being targeted by fake offers from celebrity crypto cons via text messages. To avoid becoming a scam victim, the ABC7 I-Team is reporting on ways to erase personal information.

Deleting personal data can also help prevent unwanted solicitations, such as unwanted boxes at home, and make you a less visible target. By taking control of your personal data, you can protect yourself from potential harm and enjoy a more secure digital life.