Be a Fierce Guardian Of Your Personal Data

"The burden is completely on the consumer to protect what is important," said Evan Hendricks, editor and publisher of Privacy Times newsletter.

Oh, well, maybe we can turn to Congress for help in protecting our data. Several legislators have proposed or are working on bills to protect personal data. For example, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation that would require companies to notify their customers in writing or by e-mail if they could be a victim of identity theft because their data was compromised.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have co-sponsored legislation that would limit the sale or transfer of sensitive personal information. It would also restrict the use of Social Security numbers.

I certainly applaud all these efforts. But they are just that -- efforts. Until Congress sees fit to pass tough laws outlawing the collection of our Social Security numbers, at the very least, I plan on becoming as obnoxious as I can about protecting my data. You want my personal financial information? Well, you better have a good reason to ask for it.

For instance, I recently contracted to have an alarm system installed in my home. As I was filling out the sales agreement, I noticed a request for my Social Security number. I refused to divulge it. The salesman said it was a requirement. He said I "had to" give it to him.

I unequivocally refused to divulge my number. A manager of the company called. He explained that the company needed it to pull my credit score because we were signing up for a three-year monitoring service. He said it had been the firm's experience that people with low credit scores often break the three-year contract.

Even if that was the case, I was appalled at the lack of security about my data from this security company. By my rough estimate, from the time the salesman took my service agreement to his office, my data could have been exposed to at least half a dozen of the company's employees. In several of the recent data breaches, it was employees who were doing the pilfering.

I was prepared to leave my home unprotected for the time being in the name of protecting my personal data.

Ah, but here's where it pays to be persistently arrogant about protecting your data.

The manager came up with a way to get my Social Security number without my actually giving it to anyone at the company. In a three-way conference call, he phoned the credit bureau and when the system asked for the customer's Social Security number, I punched it in. All he heard on his end was the beeping sound. In a few seconds he got my credit score without having to know my Social Security number.

So, folks, it's up to us. We have to become our own data protectors. You may not win the battle all the time, but if you're fierce enough you can reduce the number of companies that "have to" have your information.

Penny Pincher Contest

It's time for my Penny Pincher of the Year contest. All you have to do is nominate someone with an original penny-pinching strategy -- a friend, a relative, even yourself. Edited versions of entries may be published. Only e-mail entries will be accepted. Send your entries by June 20 to colorofmoney@washpost.com . Please put "2005 Penny Pincher of the Year Contest" in the subject line. Include your address and daytime and evening phone numbers.

Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp://www.npr.org. Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071 or send e-mail tosingletarym@washpost.com. Comments and questions are welcome, but because of the volume of mail, personal responses are not always possible. Please also note that comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.