Invasion Of Privacy
The Children's Crusade
Feeding The Flock
Notebook
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Invasion Of Privacy
Protect Yourself
Just say no to telemarketers If you don't want to get an
unlisted telephone number (cost: $1.50 a month), practice the
mantra "I don't take phone solicitations." Once you buy, you're
put on a chump list that's sold to other marketers.
Consider removing your name from many direct-mail and
telemarketing lists
Write to:
Direct Marketing Association
Mail/Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008 (mail)
or
P.O. Box 9014 (phone)
Farmingdale, NY 11735 |
Pay cash whenever possible The less you put on your credit
cards, the fewer details anyone has about your buying habits.
Be wary about buying mail order Many mail-order companies
sell their customer lists. So call the company to check its
procedures (unless you like catalogs).
Give your Social Security number only when required by law
Many organizations, from school to work, use it as your ID
number. Resist them. (Experts say it often helps if you can tell
someone in authority about your concerns.)
Think twice before filling out warranty cards or entering
sweepstakes These are data mines for marketers. Besides, most
products are guaranteed by your sales receipt. And have you ever
won anything in a sweepstakes?
Be careful when using "free blood-pressure clinics" Typically,
your data will be used by marketers and pharmaceutical companies.
Avoid leaving footprints on the Net You're being watched even
as you browse. And search engines index your postings to public
forums such as Usenet by your name.
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