Have you ever sent something personal in a text message and then had that moment of panic wondering who else might see it? You’re not alone. Texting has become our go-to way of communicating, but regular SMS messages aren’t as secure as many people think. They’re actually more like sending a postcard through the mail – your message is out there for anyone with the right access to read. As recent FBI warnings have shown, even our everyday texts could be vulnerable to interception by hackers and other prying eyes.
Passwords and account login information
We’ve all been there – a friend or family member needs access to an account you share, and the quickest way seems to be sending a password via text. This is actually one of the riskiest things you can do with your phone. When you send a password through a regular text message, it’s stored unencrypted on multiple servers as it travels to the recipient. These servers are maintained by cell phone carriers who might keep copies of these messages for years, creating multiple points where your sensitive information could be compromised.
If someone needs your password, consider safer options like password manager apps that let you securely share credentials. These apps use strong encryption to protect your information while it’s being shared. If you absolutely must share a password, break it into multiple parts and send them through different communication channels. For example, send half through a password manager and tell the other half over a phone call – it takes a bit more effort but keeps your accounts much safer.
Social security numbers and financial details
Sending your social security number or financial account details through regular text is like handing your identity to potential thieves on a silver platter. According to privacy experts, these pieces of information are among the most sensitive personal data you have. Federal and state laws specifically highlight financial information as sensitive personal information that deserves special protection. If someone gets hold of your social security number along with other personal details, they could open credit accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or even take out loans in your name.
When a bank, medical office, or other business asks for this kind of information, always ask if they have a secure portal or encrypted messaging system instead. Many companies have special systems set up exactly for this purpose. If you’re dealing with taxes or financial matters, consider using services with built-in secure messaging or upload options. In cases where an organization insists on getting this info quickly, a phone call is still much safer than texting your financial secrets. Remember that legitimate organizations should have proper security measures in place and shouldn’t pressure you into sharing sensitive details through unsecured channels.
Medical information and health records
Your health information is deeply personal, and in many cases, it’s protected by law. Despite this, many people casually text about test results, medications, or health conditions without thinking twice. Regular text messages containing health information can be stored on multiple servers and devices indefinitely. This means your private health details could potentially be exposed during a data breach or if someone gains access to your phone or your recipient’s phone. The consequences aren’t just about privacy – they can affect your insurance coverage, employment opportunities, and personal relationships if sensitive health information falls into the wrong hands.
Instead of texting about health matters, use the secure messaging feature that most healthcare providers now offer through their patient portals. These systems are specifically designed to comply with privacy laws and keep your health information confidential. If you need to discuss health issues with family members, consider using an encrypted messaging app that offers end-to-end protection. For storing important health documents, specialized secure document storage solutions provide much better protection than keeping photos of medical records in your regular photo gallery or sending them through text messages.
Credit card numbers and banking information
When a friend owes you money or you need to share payment details with someone, it might seem harmless to text your credit card number or bank account information. Unfortunately, this is a major security risk that many people take without realizing the potential consequences. Standard text messages are stored by your mobile carrier and can potentially be intercepted during transmission. If your phone is ever lost, stolen, or hacked, those messages containing your financial information become immediately accessible to whoever has your device. Even if you delete the message afterward, copies might still exist on servers or the recipient’s phone.
The safer alternative is to use payment apps designed specifically for financial transactions. Services like Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and Cash App let you send and receive money without exposing your actual account numbers. These apps use encryption and other security measures to protect your financial information. If you absolutely must share account details, most banks offer secure messaging within their mobile apps or websites. For recurring payments or bills, setting up automatic payments through your bank’s bill pay feature eliminates the need to share sensitive information entirely. Remember that even partial account numbers can be dangerous in the wrong hands, so avoid sending these details through regular text messages under any circumstances.
Location information and travel plans
Sending detailed information about your location or upcoming travel plans through regular text messages creates serious safety risks that many people overlook. When you text someone that you’ll be away from home for the next week, you’re essentially announcing that your house will be empty during that time. If these messages fall into the wrong hands, they could be used to target your home for burglary. Similarly, sharing your current location could put you at physical risk if someone with bad intentions intercepts that information. Many people don’t realize that precise geolocation data is considered sensitive personal information under several state privacy laws.
Instead of texting your exact whereabouts or detailed travel itineraries, use more secure methods to share this information only with trusted individuals. For sharing your location with family members or close friends, use dedicated location-sharing apps that give you control over who can see your whereabouts and for how long. When traveling, wait until you’ve returned to post about your trip on social media, and be cautious about who you share your travel plans with beforehand. For home security while you’re away, consider using smart home security systems with security cameras that allow you to monitor your property remotely rather than telling neighbors about your absence through unsecured text messages.
Sensitive photos and personal images
Sending personal or sensitive photos through regular text messages is risky business, yet people do it every day without understanding where those images might end up. When you send a photo via SMS or MMS, it doesn’t just go directly to the recipient’s phone. It passes through your mobile carrier’s servers where it may be stored indefinitely. Even after you delete the message from your phone, copies can remain on these servers or on the recipient’s device. This lack of control over your personal images becomes especially problematic if the relationship with the recipient changes or if either phone is lost, stolen, or hacked.
If you need to share personal photos, consider using apps with end-to-end encryption and features like disappearing messages or screenshot detection. These apps provide additional layers of security and privacy controls that regular text messaging simply doesn’t offer. For important documents like IDs or insurance cards, specialized secure document storage solutions offer much better protection than keeping them in your phone’s gallery or sending them through texts. Remember that anything you send digitally can potentially be saved, screenshot, or forwarded by the recipient, so always think carefully before sending sensitive images through any platform. The best rule for truly private photos is to avoid sending them electronically altogether.
Children’s information and details
The information of children under 13 is specifically protected by law, yet many parents unwittingly share sensitive details about their kids through regular text messages. This information is particularly valuable to identity thieves because children’s credit histories are clean slates – perfect for fraud that might go undetected for years. When you text about your child’s full name, birthdate, school, or activities, you’re creating a digital trail of information that could potentially be misused. Many parents don’t realize that they’re putting their children’s future financial health at risk by oversharing in unsecured messages.
Instead of texting sensitive information about your children, use family-oriented apps designed with privacy and security in mind. These apps typically offer encrypted messaging and additional privacy controls specifically developed for sharing family information. For school-related communications, use the official parent portals or messaging systems that educational institutions provide, which are designed to comply with student privacy laws. When sharing photos of your children, avoid including identifying information like their school uniforms or locations that would reveal where they spend time regularly. By taking these precautions, you can help protect your children’s digital identity from an early age and establish good family privacy habits.
Personal documents and identification
Sending photos of your driver’s license, passport, or other identification documents through regular text messages creates significant identity theft risks that can haunt you for years. These documents contain a treasure trove of personal information – your full name, address, birthdate, identification numbers, and even your signature. When sent via standard text messaging, these images aren’t encrypted and can be intercepted during transmission. Additionally, they become stored in your text message history and potentially on multiple servers, creating numerous points where this sensitive information could be compromised. Many people don’t realize they’re essentially handing over their identity when they text these documents.
When you need to share identification documents, use secure document sharing platforms that employ encryption and other security measures to protect your information. Many government agencies and financial institutions now offer secure upload options specifically designed for sensitive documents. If you need to store digital copies of your identification for your own use, encrypted cloud storage services or password-protected document vaults provide much stronger protection than keeping them in your regular photo gallery or messaging apps. For situations where you absolutely must share identification quickly, consider using an app that allows you to securely redact or blur out information that isn’t relevant to the specific need, reducing the risk if the document is compromised.
Your everyday text messages might seem private, but they’re far from secure. By avoiding sending these eight types of sensitive information through regular texts, you’re taking an important step toward protecting your privacy and security in an increasingly digital world. Instead, explore encrypted messaging apps and secure sharing platforms that are specifically designed to keep your personal information safe. Remember, in today’s digital landscape, thinking twice before hitting send could save you from serious headaches down the road.
