Exactly, great points.
That is why it is incumbent on
everyone to perform their due diligence to minimize or eliminate scams or fraud from affecting them. That is inclusive, and encompasses everything from your phone number, to your timeshare to your credit. No, of course you cannot protect every shred of PI, however, you can do a lot to minimize your exposure.
Since the manner that information flows hasn't changed overnight, no one should be oblivious to the exposure they are subject to. However, as you see in my single example above, countless people are exposing themselves, and are apparently oblivious to the ramifications. Or, they simply don't care. Funny, those are typically the first to complain and whine, after the fact.
How many here have frozen or locked their credit since the data breach of Equifax? I did, but long before the breach