Police Warn Arizona Drivers: Remove These Stickers Immediately

I remember the day my kid came home from school and told me she'd made the Principal's Honor Roll! She'd worked hard and I was really proud of her. When she handed me the "My Kid Made the Honor Roll at [School]" sticker, I paused.

Why You Shouldn't Put This Sticker on Your Vehicle

I was so proud of her, but I didn't want random strangers to know where my kids attended school. Plus, we live next to Fort Huachuca, and the military community - including civilians - receive a lot of training about this very thing.

It was hard to look into those sweet little eyes and say 'no', but I think we made the right choice.

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Decorating our vehicles with stickers is fun, and it's a fun way to let our families know how proud we are of them. However, there are some very good reasons NOT to put them on your car, and it goes far beyond lowering the value of our vehicle.

READ: ALERT: Scammer Claiming to Sierra Vista Police Personnel

What is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?

Most of the stickers like this reveal personally identifiable information or PII. Generally speaking, PII includes details like family and pet names, sports teams, schools, hobbies, and other data that can be used to identify you or your family.

The FBI and other federal agencies say you should avoid displaying stickers displayed with your child’s school, your workplace, or your hobbies.

The stickers might seem harmless, but bad actors can pick up clues about your daily routine, your interests, or even your kids' or pets' names. Bad guys can use the information to socially hack you or your kids. If someone knows your child’s name and school, it could help a predator.

You might not remember that you put a sticker on your car with your pet's name, but imagine a random stranger approaching your child, pretending to be looking for a dog who just happens to have the same name as your pet?

READ: USPS Warning of Smishing Scam That Wipes Out Bank Accounts

Even stickers that might seem innocent, like those showing your college or favorite sports team could be telling bad guys more than you realize.

PII can be used by criminals to commit identity theft or fraud. To stay safe, find designs that don't give away personal details. It's better to keep your private life private, especially when it comes to your vehicle.

Sources: FBI.gov | usnews.com newsweek.com readers digest | whitehouse.gov | nist.gov | nist.gov | zdnet.com | cloudflare.com | allstateidentityprotection.com | lifelock.norton.com | tsapps.nist.gov