We Have Lost Your Data. Too Bad, Not Our Fault.

Helpful stories for when (not if) a corporation loses your data

Don’t ever think your personal information is your own.

As we approach adulthood, we discover a new cycle of life: the personal information life cycle.

In this cycle we

• Create new personal information at banks, the department of motor vehicles (drivers license), the US Department of State (passport), websites,
• Provide that personal information to rent an apartment, lease a car, buy online products, mortgage a home, start a new job, and
• Watch that personal information be stolen or “breached” again and again.

The sooner we accept the fact that “our” data is not really ours anymore, that many (most?) corporations view our data as sustenance for themselves, and that we must prepare for the inevitable loss of our data…the better.

I’d like to share some stories to help you manage your personal information life cycles.

Escheatment…Is that even a word?

The corporation that holds our mortgage, let’s call them Bank Z, regularly reminds us of the startling realities of the personal information life cycle.

Some years ago I panicked. $34,712.85 was gone from our mandatory account required for a reduced mortgage rate from Bank Z.