Going too far??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Max Whittaker · 08-27-2005, 09:38 PM

I've always been hesitant to give out personal information online. When I first joined this site it was a huge step for me to simply give TJ my e-mail address(even though he wouldn't have released it).

I more recently got brave and released my birthdate.

I realize all this is harmless information but I'd rather be too careful than a little sorry.

Now a friend of mine has invited me to join hi5. It's supposed to be similer to myspace. Enter register: It asks for my full name my gender my zipcode and birthdate

Why not add on my street number and social security number?!

This bothers me because I'm uncomfortable giving out that information to just anyone, and I have no idea what sort of community this thing is.

I trust my friend, and I miss her, because we don't see much of eachother anymore. But I'm not sure I'm willing to give so much of myself online. I'm not sure how I would tell her about my reservations, or if I should just join.

Any opinions? Suggestions? Recommendations?

Ireneparalegal · 08-27-2005, 09:42 PM

go with your gut instincts. I do. I don't give out birthdates or any other pertinent info because in this day and age, anyone can gather enough info on you and do God knows what with it. Gut instincts. Just be honest and let them know why.

theshark8777 · 08-27-2005, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

I've always been hesitant to give out personal information online. When I first joined this site it was a huge step for me to simply give TJ my e-mail address(even though he wouldn't have released it).

I more recently got brave and released my birthdate.

I realize all this is harmless information but I'd rather be too careful than a little sorry.

Now a friend of mine has invited me to join hi5. It's supposed to be similer to myspace. Enter register: It asks for my full name my gender my zipcode and birthdate

Why not add on my street number and social security number?!

This bothers me because I'm uncomfortable giving out that information to just anyone, and I have no idea what sort of community this thing is.

I trust my friend, and I miss her, because we don't see much of eachother anymore. But I'm not sure I'm willing to give so much of myself online. I'm not sure how I would tell her about my reservations, or if I should just join.

Any opinions? Suggestions? Recommendations?

I have a myspace account and I didnt give my last name. I just put my last inital. That worked. The zip code and birthday are nothing if they don't have your full name. The birtday is because they aren't supposed to collect personal info for people under 13 I believe. I think you are too paranoid, and thats coming from me, I am fairly paranoid, so I definitely know how you feel. Anyhow you could always lie about any or all of those questions, and they would never know.

theshark8777 · 08-27-2005, 09:46 PM

Also about the email thing, just created a email account on yahoo or something with an alias, just for those purposes.

Ewan's My Man · 08-27-2005, 09:49 PM

You don't have to be truthful about any of it. I mean, I'm SURE it's all legitimate and safe, but I can't tell you how many times I've lied about my name when registering. Yes, my name REALLY is Lauren, I didn't lie here. But I've registered for hotmail accounts and I've put stuff like Joe Schmo...so just lie about it if you feel uncomfortable.

Hollow · 08-27-2005, 09:58 PM

i usually put in fake **** when i'm signing up for something that really doesn't need my personal information.

i've put in things like "none of your business you damn stalker" sometimes, and i got this email from some spammer the other day. good way to determine which sites are selling your information.

(and it looks like whoever that was needs to slow down on the typing.)

Dutabi84 · 08-27-2005, 10:36 PM

It's probably a good idea you used a phony email address, because after a friend and I signed up on Hi5, we both started recieving spam email from the same place. Had something to do with Americansingles.com, or some website I hadn't even heard of.

dawsongirl · 08-28-2005, 03:19 AM

Fake names are the best. Fake address, fake birthdate...the whole nine yards. I've had several fake last names over the years.

Gizmo1 · 08-28-2005, 10:44 AM

I always lie about my zipcode, name, birthdate...i put in phony stats about myself everywhere on interenet things.

robyrob · 08-28-2005, 01:21 PM

you have abosultely NO REASOn to give them any accurate information.

therefore I proclaim you to be Gustaf the Fourth, King of Sweden. Go forth and multiply.

IMakeBurgers · 08-28-2005, 01:25 PM

I usually put the first 3 letters of my last name...Noone would ever guess it. McL Also, put 5 random numbers in the zip code part, or put the zip code of a neighboring town.

Rachel3118 · 08-28-2005, 01:31 PM

I don't like to give real email adresses because then you get lots of junk mail.

EmoJoe · 08-28-2005, 02:26 PM

I usually lie about my zip code, last name, and stuff like that.

dawsongirl · 08-28-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMakeBurgers

I usually put the first 3 letters of my last name...Noone would ever guess it. McL Also, put 5 random numbers in the zip code part, or put the zip code of a neighboring town.

I usually give my zip as 90210.

08-27-2005, 09:38 PM	#1
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	Going too far??? I've always been hesitant to give out personal information online. When I first joined this site it was a huge step for me to simply give TJ my e-mail address(even though he wouldn't have released it). I more recently got brave and released my birthdate. I realize all this is harmless information but I'd rather be too careful than a little sorry. Now a friend of mine has invited me to join hi5. It's supposed to be similer to myspace. Enter register: It asks for my full name my gender my zipcode and birthdate Why not add on my street number and social security number?! This bothers me because I'm uncomfortable giving out that information to just anyone, and I have no idea what sort of community this thing is. I trust my friend, and I miss her, because we don't see much of eachother anymore. But I'm not sure I'm willing to give so much of myself online. I'm not sure how I would tell her about my reservations, or if I should just join. Any opinions? Suggestions? Recommendations?
	__________________ I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, & healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

08-27-2005, 09:42 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	go with your gut instincts. I do. I don't give out birthdates or any other pertinent info because in this day and age, anyone can gather enough info on you and do God knows what with it. Gut instincts. Just be honest and let them know why.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

08-27-2005, 09:49 PM	#5
Ewan's My Man I'll Cover You Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 29, 2001 Location: Beneath the opera house... Posts: 5,682	You don't have to be truthful about any of it. I mean, I'm SURE it's all legitimate and safe, but I can't tell you how many times I've lied about my name when registering. Yes, my name REALLY is Lauren, I didn't lie here. But I've registered for hotmail accounts and I've put stuff like Joe Schmo...so just lie about it if you feel uncomfortable.
	__________________ Don't you ever wanna be somebody to envy Don't you wanna be footloose and free? Well, you could be the life of the party If you were more- Like me! All you have to do is jump over the moon Moo with me!

08-27-2005, 09:58 PM	#6
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	i usually put in fake **** when i'm signing up for something that really doesn't need my personal information. i've put in things like "none of your business you damn stalker" sometimes, and i got this email from some spammer the other day. good way to determine which sites are selling your information. (and it looks like whoever that was needs to slow down on the typing.)
	Last edited by Hollow; 12-22-2011 at 08:50 PM.

08-28-2005, 10:44 AM	#9
Gizmo1 is in da house! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 12, 2005 Location: In A House Posts: 177	I always lie about my zipcode, name, birthdate...i put in phony stats about myself everywhere on interenet things.
	__________________ Gizmo1

08-27-2005, 09:46 PM	#4
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Also about the email thing, just created a email account on yahoo or something with an alias, just for those purposes.

08-27-2005, 10:36 PM	#7
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	It's probably a good idea you used a phony email address, because after a friend and I signed up on Hi5, we both started recieving spam email from the same place. Had something to do with Americansingles.com, or some website I hadn't even heard of.

08-28-2005, 03:19 AM	#8
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Fake names are the best. Fake address, fake birthdate...the whole nine yards. I've had several fake last names over the years.

08-28-2005, 01:21 PM	#10
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,200	you have abosultely NO REASOn to give them any accurate information. therefore I proclaim you to be Gustaf the Fourth, King of Sweden. Go forth and multiply.
	__________________ * firefox * AdAware * HiJackThis * CoolWebShredder * Spybot * SpywareBlaster * Spyware Terminator * * GeeksToGo * AntiVir * Avast antivirus * Housecall Online * Sysinternals Security Utilities * * ZoneAlarm * Agnitum-firewall * Comodo Firewall * AVG Anti-Rootkit * RootkitRevealer * ParasiteCheck * * Annoyances * FreeCodecs * Mikes-Hosts-File * GRC.com * MSAntispyware * DVD's * TradeList * myspace *

08-28-2005, 01:25 PM	#11
IMakeBurgers Borderline Amazing Senior Member Join Date: Oct 11, 2001 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 1,595	I usually put the first 3 letters of my last name...Noone would ever guess it. McL Also, put 5 random numbers in the zip code part, or put the zip code of a neighboring town.

08-28-2005, 01:31 PM	#12
Rachel3118 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 1,768	I don't like to give real email adresses because then you get lots of junk mail.
	__________________ Rachel

08-28-2005, 02:26 PM	#13
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	I usually lie about my zip code, last name, and stuff like that.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com