Final answer:
The statement is true as it is important to have personal, financial, and medical information readily available, but it is also essential to protect this information to prevent identity theft and fraud. Using secure passwords, protecting credit cards, and monitoring credit history are effective measures for safeguarding personal data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: it is crucial to keep important personal, financial, and medical information about yourself and your family in a handy place. This includes details such as addresses, dates of birth, health card numbers, medical conditions, allergies, and prescriptions with dosages. Having this information accessible can be vital in case of an emergency, or when you need to quickly provide it to medical professionals, schools, or insurance providers. However, it's also important to protect your personal information to prevent identity theft and fraud. Measures to ensure the safety of your sensitive data include:
Using passwords and PINs that cannot be easily guessed.
Protecting your credit and debit cards to avoid unauthorized use.
Securing your mailbox to prevent theft of mail which might contain personal data.
Keeping your wallet safe and being cautious about what information you carry in it.
Installing anti-virus software on your computer to defend against malware.
Notifying your bank promptly when you change your address or phone number to ensure your account records are up-to-date.
Additionally, when leaving a job or passing on responsibilities, it's often necessary to give your replacement access to certain information. This might include client details, business passwords, or processes that are crucial for the continuity and security of operations.
It is also advised to monitor your credit history regularly for signs of identity theft and to be cautious about the minimum amount of personal information you give out. Understanding your privacy rights, reading privacy policies thoroughly, and asking why and how your information will be used are proactive steps towards safeguarding your personal data.
Summarily, the careful storage and protection of important personal and family information is essential for both everyday use and unexpected situations, as well as for maintaining privacy and security.