“It’s safest to verbalize it,” said Janet Alvarez, executive editor of Wise Bread, a personal finance and credit management blog. “Have them write it down on a piece of paper they intend on destroying immediately after using it.” It goes without saying, you should only give that info to someone you trust. Need to pay a bill over the phone? Only do so if it’s on a recorded line from a trusted retailer. “That way, you can refer the company to your recorded call, should you suspect your information was used inappropriately,” says Alvarez. If verbalizing the information isn’t an option, you can try using an encrypted text messaging app instead. Alvarez suggests using an app called Signal (free; iOS, Android). “Signal was one of the few sources of text information that couldn’t be breached a few years ago during that big breach of iPhone data,” she said. The nice part about the app is it works for all kinds of messages, meaning you can use it to send encrypted texts to your tax accountant or realtor, too. Otherwise, go with your gut. Websites that look fishy likely are. “It’s best to air on the side of prudence,” she said. “And don’t think that just because you following all of these tips that you aren’t still susceptible to breaches.”
