Why You Should Keep Your Birthday a Secret From Scammers 2026

Your date of birth is a key piece of personal information that scammers use to commit identity fraud. When you share it online, you make it easier for criminals to piece together your identity and target you with convincing scams.

In a recent hack of the online retailer Asos, customers' dates of birth were among the details stolen. Cybersecurity professionals now warn that you should resist entering your real date of birth, or use a fake one, to limit the amount of personal data available online.

How Scammers Use Your Date of Birth

A date of birth alone is not particularly valuable to criminals, but combined with other information such as your name and phone number, it can help them commit identity fraud. Scammers use this data to build a profile of you, which they can then use to impersonate you or trick you into trusting them.

For example, you might get a call from someone claiming to be from your bank, saying there has been suspicious activity on your account. They read out your name, address, and date of birth, so you believe they are legitimate. But you are actually talking to criminals who have used your date of birth as part of a web of verifying information to convince you they are someone else.

Why Your Date of Birth Is a Security Risk

People's dates of birth are often held in online accounts after being entered as part of a sign-up process for a retailer, loyalty scheme, newsletter, or online competition. Once your data is stored online, it becomes vulnerable to hackers.

Jake Moore, an adviser for the cybersecurity company ESET, explains that information gathered during hacks can be sold on and used by scammers, either to trick people into trusting them or to impersonate them. "A date of birth alone is not particularly valuable to criminals, but combined with other information, such as names and phone numbers, it can help criminals commit identity fraud," he says.

Alexandre François, who investigates scams for the intelligence company WhoisXML API, found that eight out of 14 retailers he surveyed recently asked for a date of birth. This shows how common it is for businesses to collect this information, often without a clear need.

How to Protect Your Date of Birth Online

The best way to protect yourself is to limit the amount of personal data you share online. Here are some practical steps you can take:

• Use a fake date of birth when signing up for non-essential services like newsletters or loyalty programs. Just make sure you can remember it if you need to recover your account.
• Avoid sharing your real date of birth on social media or public profiles. Even seemingly harmless posts about your birthday can give scammers valuable information.
• Check privacy settings on your online accounts to ensure your date of birth is not publicly visible.
• Be cautious of phishing emails or calls that ask for your date of birth or other personal details. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for this information unexpectedly.
• Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and report anything unusual to your bank immediately.

What to Do If Your Data Is Compromised

If you suspect that your date of birth or other personal information has been compromised in a data breach, take action immediately. Change your passwords, especially for accounts that contain sensitive information. Enable two-factor authentication where possible to add an extra layer of security.

You should also monitor your financial accounts for any unusual activity. If you notice anything suspicious, contact your bank and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file. In some cases, you may need to freeze your credit to prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name. The background to this story is set out in AI Travel Photo Scams: How Criminals Use Your Holiday Images. A related thread runs through AI Holiday Photo Scam: How Criminals Exploit Your Travel Pics. Earlier coverage in Romance Scams Exposed: TV Documentary Reveals Heartbreaking Fraud shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

As data breaches become more common, it's likely that scammers will continue to exploit personal information like your date of birth. Stay informed about the latest scams and be proactive about protecting your data. Remember that even small pieces of information can be valuable to criminals when combined with other data. A closer look at the same subject appears in UK Raids Target Nuisance Car Finance Text Scams. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Smart Glasses Threat: Police Fear Secret Recording by Criminals. The same theme surfaces in Is University Still Worth It? Key Facts Before You Commit, which takes a different angle.

By being mindful of what you share and taking steps to secure your online accounts, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to identity fraud. Context on how this played out before sits in Bank Impersonation Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them. A companion piece, Deepfake Anthony Albanese Scams Cost Australians $7.4M, approaches the same subject from another angle.

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