Content provided by officerprivacy.com
Many LEOs start side businesses to supplement their income, prepare for retirement, or explore a job change.
But he didn’t expect to find his name and home address on business database websites. These sites display the owner’s personal information for free – without the need to create an account.
Minimize the risk to you, your family and your business. (Photo/officialprivacy.com)
When you start a business and complete the necessary paperwork with your city and state, this data will be sold to brokers – who will post it on their business database website.
Unlike data brokers, who sell their data to people-search sites, these business database websites will not Will delete your information just like people-searching sites.
Suddenly, what started out as an entrepreneurial journey puts these officers at risk of harm from people targeting police officers. Now, anyone can identify you as a LEO and business owner.
They may also find out where you live, plan to harm you or your family, or write negative reviews encouraging others not to do business with you.
It only adds to your worry and takes time and focus away from running your business. To reduce the risk to you, your family and your business, follow these five steps:
- Use the privacy option when you register your website domain to hide your name and address. Some providers include it for free, while others charge extra.
- Use a PO Box or other mail service as the address. Use this address on whatever you can. Some companies require street addresses, so use the street address of the post office and your box number as the suite number (if allowed).
- Use a Registered Agent (RA) if you are forming a Limited Liability Corporation. Your RA’s name and address will be shown on legal documents filed with the state instead of your name and address.
- Use a virtual (or VOIP) number for your business instead of your cellphone number to make and receive calls on your cellphone.
- Use a new email address instead of your personal email for your business communications. Ideally, this would be an email address on your website domain.
Following these five easy steps will help you maintain your privacy so you can focus on running your business. For more privacy tips, download “25 Seldom-Used Privacy Tricks,” a free eBook here.
