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# How to protect your personal information online
- URL: https://chale.tech/protect-your-personal-information-online/
- Published: 2026-10-21T11:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T11:30:00.000Z
- Description: Your Ghana Card number, phone number, photos and location are valuable to scammers. Here is what to keep private, how to lock down your phone and social media, and your rights under Ghana’s Data Protection Act.
- Author: Isaac Nana Yaw Annor
- Tags: How-To, Security

Scammers do not need to hack you if you have already told them everything. Your full name, date of birth, Ghana Card number, phone number, home area and family names are enough to impersonate you, answer security questions, or attempt a SIM swap. Here is how to share less and protect more.

## Keep these private

- **Your Ghana Card number and photos of your card.** The Cyber Security Authority advises keeping your Ghana Card and bank details private.
- **PINs, passwords and OTPs**, always.
- **Bank card numbers and CVVs.**
- **Your full date of birth** on public profiles.
- **Your live location and travel plans**, until you are back.
- **Children’s school names and routines.**

## Lock down your phone

- Use a screen lock (PIN, pattern, fingerprint or face).
- Keep the system and apps updated.
- Install apps only from Google Play or the App Store.
- Review app permissions: Settings → Apps → Permissions. Remove access to contacts, location, camera and microphone for apps that do not need them.

## Tidy up social media

- **Facebook and Instagram:** set posts to Friends, hide your phone number and birthday, and review tagged photos.
- **WhatsApp:** Settings → Privacy, and set Profile photo, About and Last seen to “My contacts”. Turn on two-step verification. See [turn on WhatsApp two-step verification](https://chale.tech/turn-on-whatsapp-two-step-verification/).
- **Be careful with quizzes and “what’s your…” trends.** Your first school, first car or mother’s maiden name are common security questions.

## Protect your accounts

- Use a different password for each important account, ideally with a password manager.
- Turn on 2-step verification for email, social media and banking. See [how to secure your Google account](https://chale.tech/secure-your-google-account/).
- Be wary of forms and “promos” that ask for more information than they need.

## Your rights in Ghana

Ghana’s Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) gives you rights over how organisations collect and use your personal data, and the Data Protection Commission oversees it. See [your rights under Ghana’s Data Protection Act](https://chale.tech/your-rights-under-ghanas-data-protection-act/).

**Report cybercrime to the Cyber Security Authority:** call or text **292**, WhatsApp **0501603111**, or email **report@csa.gov.gh**. Keep screenshots, numbers, links and transaction IDs as evidence.

> Every detail you post is a piece of a puzzle. Do not give scammers the full picture.

*This guide was checked in October 2026\. Menus and services change, so if something looks different on your phone, check with your provider.*

## Common questions

### Is it safe to post a photo of my Ghana Card?

No. The CSA advises keeping your Ghana Card and bank details private. A photo of your card can be used for fraud and SIM swaps.

### What rights do I have over my personal data in Ghana?

Under the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) you have rights over how organisations collect and use your data. See our guide to your rights under the Act.

### Should I accept every app permission?

No. Only allow permissions an app genuinely needs. A torch app does not need your contacts.

### How do I stop strangers seeing my WhatsApp profile?

In WhatsApp, go to Settings → Privacy and set Profile photo, About and Last seen to My contacts or Nobody.

## Sources

- [Cyber Security Authority: Online shopping scam advisory (CSA/CERT/MPA/2025-11/01, November 2025)](https://csa.gov.gh/cert-gh-alert41.php?ref=chale.tech)
- [Google Account Help: Make your account more secure](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/46526?hl=en&ref=chale.tech)
- [Cyber Security Authority Ghana](https://csa.gov.gh/?ref=chale.tech)