Too much information

In this electronic age when we are concerned about identity theft, bank and credit card fraud, I now find myself giving out more personal information, more often than I ever have before.

They tell me it’s because of personal information security regulations. However, it is all getting a little ridiculous.

Recently, I switched to Telus for TV and Internet service. Despite the fact that up until a few years ago, I had been a Telus — and before that an EdTel — customer for more than 30 years, to set up this “new” account I had to provide my driver’s licence, credit card and date of birth.

I don’t want them to have any of this information and do not think it is necessary for them to have it. Their explanation was that this is to ensure nobody can access my account and that they can confirm that I am who I am if I need to contact them.

I am not convinced that keeping my Telus bill a secret is more important than having Telus and other companies have so much of my information on file. Aside from the possibility of their files being hacked, there are a lot of employees at those institutions who now have access to my personal information.

I have grudgingly given personal information to all sorts of businesses. Often, my only choice is to do so or forgo the product or service I want.

Margaret Salzl, Edmonton