What is Personally Identifiable Information?

Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that can be used to identify a specific individual.

The following list contains examples of information that may be considered PII.

• Name, such as full name, maiden name, mother‘s maiden name, or alias
• Social security number (SSN), passport number, driver‘s license number, taxpayer identification number, patient identification number, and financial account or credit card number
• Address information, such as street address or email address
• Telephone numbers, including mobile, business, and personal numbers
• Photographic image (especially of face or other distinguishing characteristic), x-rays, fingerprints, or other biometric image or template data (e.g., retina scan, voice signature, facial geometry)
• Vehicle registration number, owned property or title number and related information
• Linkable information to one of the above (e.g., date of birth, place of birth, race, religion, weight, activities, geographical indicators, employment information, medical information, education information, financial information).

Often it is the combination of one or more of the above identifiers that will compromise a persons’ identity. Thoughtful care must be given to protect this information as it is common for people to believe the data is harmless and given without risk.