Deals without tracking: Download your grocery store’s app for the best possible prices. No one says you have to use your real email address and phone number if you’re not into the data collection. Make a burner account!
Privacy: Is it wise to hand over your email and number for discounts?

It’s a savvy shopper’s favorite time of year: Discounts and deals as far as the eye can see.
You’re probably like me — I don’t like paying full price. But is handing over your email address, phone number or even more worth it for a coupon code? Like most things tech, it depends.
What’s in the fine print?
Did you read the details when you signed up for a shopping app? Yeah, I thought so. It’s never too late to go back and check the terms and conditions. Here are recent stats from Atlas VPN, which reviewed some of the most popular shopping apps.
- 58% of the apps they reviewed shared names, home addresses, email IDs and phone numbers with third parties. (That’s code for anyone willing to pay.)
- 25% shared device IDs or other unique identifiers for smartphones and tablets.
- Roughly a third disclosed financial data, including purchase history and payment details.
- 28% shared location data with “external sources.” Whatever that means.
Things aren’t much better when signing up for an email list, handing over your number for marketing texts or becoming a “member,” even when it’s free. Speaking of …
What about store loyalty cards?
Getting talked into signing up for a store loyalty program is easy. In exchange for a little info, you can score deals on groceries and household items, you name it. But you’re giving away much more than you think.
Each swipe of your loyalty card, phone number, or email address tells the store everything you bought, when you bought it, in what quantity and at what price, along with your payment details. Pair that with downloading your store’s app, and they will also know where you are.
“Who cares if my store knows what brands I like?” Fair enough, but the tracking goes far beyond that. Rewards cards store data, including your name, address, phone number, and credit and debit cards. Thieves can steal this information and create a fake identity for a crime spree.
The good news is there are simple ways around handing your information over while still enjoying the discounts.
- Use your office phone number for loyalty programs. If they need an email address, I give them a disposable one. (More on that below.)
- Shop at stores that don’t require loyalty programs for discounts, like Trader Joe’s and Walmart.
- Don’t forget physical coupons. Most grocery stores have a coupon section on their website where you can print, snip and hand in.
- Whatever you do, never give your Social Security or driver’s license number.
- Ask for the discount anyway. Cashiers usually have a code to charge the digital price without you needing to have a loyalty app or code.
- Smile and ask the person behind you, “Hey, mind if I use your card?” Be polite, and I bet you’ll get a yes.
You won’t believe the weird stuff for sale on Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove for second-hand electronics, furniture and collectibles. In the market for something a little … weirder? Scroll past the old bikes and baby clothes and you’ll be shocked at what’s hidden in plain sight.
Protect your privacy, your cell phone number and email address

Phone scams are never-ending because they work. Scam texts are increasing, too. Here are five sure signs a text is junk you need to delete.
While we’re talking scams, I’d be remiss not to mention your inbox. Tap or click for convincing spam that landed in my email with not-so-obvious red flags.
How security pros use TikTok without handing over personal data to China

I’ve been saying it for months: Get TikTok off your phone.
It’s not the only China-based app you need to worry about. Temu, the app that lets you “shop like a billionaire,” isn’t worth the deals. Here’s why — and what to do if you’ve been using it.
Tired of all the junk in your inbox? Create a burner email address

Though texting someone is more convenient than opening your email app and composing a message, email carries a formality. It’s still the king of professional correspondence, especially in an office setting.
Do you CC or BCC? Knowing the difference and the proper time to use each is important. Tap or click here for a rundown on these email tools and avoid committing a digital faux pas.
Stop sharing your real phone number with everyone

How many people and companies have your phone number if you had to guess? Maybe a hundred? Think again.
Want to be shocked? Your cellphone and landline number (if you still have one) are probably posted online where I found mine — at a people search site that doesn’t cost a dime. Tap or click here for sites that let you search for phone numbers.
Start 2023 right: How to give your inbox a fresh makeover

We’re at the threshold of the new year, and it’s not too early to get a head start on getting your home in order. We’re not talking about scrubbing your floors and dusting the blinds. Tap or click here for seven tools to get your digital life in shape.
Use this genius Google trick to catch embarrassing typos in your emails and other writing

Billions of emails make their way around the globe daily, and it can seem like most of them are making their way to your inbox.
Whenever you give out your email address, you expose your inbox to junk mail, confirmation links and random coupon codes you don’t care about. Wouldn’t it be great to have a way to filter these messages elsewhere? This is where a burner email comes in handy. Tap or click here to see how these disposable email addresses work.
Online forms are grabbing your data - even if you don’t hit enter

An effective way to get someone’s opinion on a product or service is to create an online form or survey. Other times, online forms are the preferred way to sign up for newsletters, register an account or buy tickets. Tap or click here for a list of apps that collect the most private data from you.
Online dating tip: Don't use your real phone number - Do this instead

If you’re lucky enough to hit it off with someone you meet on a dating app, they’ll probably ask for your phone number. It’s a sign that the person you matched with is interested and wants to get to know you by calling or even video chatting. Speaking of which, here are a few ways to look your best in video meetings.
This great freebie from Google stops annoying robocalls and gives you a second phone number

Fun fact: Two of the most popular tips on my website over the years are all about blocking your number and revealing the identity of blocked or strange numbers calling you.
I get the curiosity. It’s not always a robocaller ringing you from a number you don’t recognize. Tap or click here for four ways to find anyone’s cellphone number online.
5 ways to block or hide your number when making calls

Robocalls have been an annoyance for years, and with technology constantly advancing, it’s only going to get worse. And they’re not just interruptions these days. Many are calls from scammers looking to rip you off.
That’s why it’s important to be proactive and stop these calls dead in their tracks. You have several clever ways to keep scams and robocalls at bay. Tap or click here to stop robocalls for good. How are these callers getting ahold of your number in the first place?
Clever way to stop those annoying robocalls

The current plague of annoying robocalls, telemarketing and spam calls is bigger than ever, and it seems like it’s getting worse each day. This is why it’s so important to protect your personal phone number.
Treat it like it’s as confidential as your other sensitive information — your banking credentials, address, Social Security number. And don’t give it away willy-nilly as you probably did before.
Block your number when making calls

Before the onslaught of the pandemic, you probably didn’t use your smartphone to make phone calls very much. Now, carriers are reporting surges in calls as we seek more personal connections while following social distancing guidelines.
Cut down on inbox junk with a disposable email address

There’s no hiding from it: Email signups are annoying as ever. And just when you think you’ve safely signed up to a legitimate website, your inbox is suddenly full of spam messages you never expected.
This is because many websites will sign you up for mailing lists when you verify your email address. To make matters worse, there isn’t much that can be done about it other than creating a separate email account for signups — but who even has time for that?