Table of contents
- What is online identity theft
- The trick: don’t use social media as a public diary
- Real-life examples of identity theft from social media
- How to protect your online identity
- Legal aspects and GDPR
- Cyber hygiene: safe digital habits
In today’s digital world, our online identity is as valuable as the money in our bank accounts. Photos, posts, geolocation data, opinions, documents every piece of information we publish or share, even semi-publicly, can end up in the wrong hands.
Online identity theft is no minor issue: according to cybersecurity reports, thousands of people in Europe each year see their personal information used without consent for scams, unauthorized access, and financial fraud.
One of the most common mistakes? Using social media like a public diary.
What is online identity theft
Identity theft happens when someone obtains and uses another person’s personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. It can involve:
- Personal data (full name, date of birth, national ID number)
- Login credentials (email and password)
- Financial data (IBAN, credit card numbers)
- Biometric data (face photos, voice recordings)
Once they have this information, cybercriminals can:
- Open bank accounts or credit cards in your name
- Make unauthorized purchases or withdrawals
- Sign up for telecom contracts or paid services
- Access online accounts to spread spam, malware, or phishing attacks
The trick: don’t use social media as a public diary
Many people post daily updates on social media as if they were speaking to a small group of friends, forgetting that content can be seen, shared, or copied by anyone.
Examples of dangerous information to share:
- Date and place of birth (often used for password recovery)
- Home address or frequent locations
- Plane tickets or boarding passes
- Photos of documents (even partial)
- Real-time vacation updates
These details may seem harmless, but to a scammer, they are puzzle pieces that can be put together to impersonate you.
Real-life examples of identity theft from social media
1. The “Vacation Social” Case
A family in Milan posted daily photos from their summer holiday, even naming the hotel. Burglars took advantage of their absence to rob their home.
2. The “Document in Photo” Case
A young man posted his flight ticket on Instagram. The visible booking code was used by a fraudster to change the flight details and resell the ticket.
3. The “Online Quiz” Case
A woman often played Facebook games asking questions like “Name of your first pet” or “Street you grew up on” — exactly the type of information banks use for password recovery.
How to protect your online identity
1. Limit Post Visibility
Use the privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to make posts visible only to trusted friends.
2. Share with a Delay
If you want to post travel or event photos, do so after you’ve returned.
3. Avoid Suspicious Quizzes and Tests
Many online games are designed to collect personal information for social engineering attacks.
4. Disable Automatic Geolocation
Prevent photos and posts from showing your real-time location.
5. Check Tags and Photos from Others
Friends tagging you in public posts may expose your location or activities without your consent.
Legal aspects and GDPR
In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) protects citizens against the misuse of personal data.
Under GDPR:
- You have the right to know how your data is processed
- You can request data deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
- You can request restriction or blocking of data use
- Companies suffering data breaches must report them within 72 hours
However, GDPR cannot prevent you from voluntarily oversharing your personal information. Responsibility for what you post remains yours.
Cyber hygiene: safe digital habits
To reduce the risk of identity theft, adopt these cyber hygiene practices:
- Use unique, complex passwords for every account
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Regularly check dark web reports (Google and other services offer free scans)
- Monitor bank and credit card transactions
- Keep your operating system and apps updated to avoid known exploits
Conclusion
Protecting your digital identity means taking a strategic approach to online sharing. You don’t have to disappear from social media you just need to use it wisely. Every piece of information you post could become a weapon in a criminal’s hands.
Golden rule: share less, live more.
Questions and answers
- What is online identity theft?
It’s the unlawful use of someone else’s personal data to commit fraud, scams, or other crimes. - How do criminals steal information from social media?
They gather public or semi-public data and combine it to rebuild your profile. - Is it safe to post vacation photos?
Only if you post them later and without revealing your current location. - Are Facebook quizzes dangerous?
Many are designed to collect information used for password recovery. - How can I protect Instagram posts?
Set your profile to “Private” and limit who can view your stories. - Does GDPR protect me from identity theft?
Yes, but only for data processed by third parties; voluntary oversharing is still your responsibility. - What is cyber hygiene?
A set of good practices to keep your devices and accounts secure. - How can I tell if my identity has been stolen?
Check for suspicious logins, unusual bank activity, and dark web reports. - Can I delete old information from social media?
Yes, you can edit or remove posts and photos anytime. - Is an identity monitoring service worth it?
It can be useful for receiving alerts about suspicious use of your data.
