Your ID is not just any piece of paper: share it carefully to avoid fraud or identity theft.

In Colombia, showing your ID card is almost a daily ritual . We're asked for it at banks, courier companies, doormen's offices, health insurance companies, notaries, even when picking up a package or registering on a digital platform. Although it's a normalized action, have you ever wondered what they do with the copy you hand over? Who keeps it, how do they safeguard it, and what might they do with it if it falls into the wrong hands?

It may seem exaggerated, but handing over a copy of your ID card without precautions can facilitate fraud, identity theft, and incurring debts you never agreed to. Today, criminals don't need your original document: a simple, poorly protected photocopy or an image sent via WhatsApp can be enough to give you a hard time.

Just as your cell phone stores your digital life, your ID card remains the master key to your legal identity. It can be used to link you to bank accounts, contracts, public services, tax, or legal obligations . And without you even knowing it, you could become entangled in problems you didn't cause.

Mafias specializing in identity theft collect copies of ID cards through a variety of means: poorly protected forms, insecure emails, images leaked on social media, or even in physical locations where there is no access control.

With this, they can apply for loans or credit cards in your name, purchase products online, activate phone lines or internet services, impersonate you on social media or messaging apps, and commit crimes that you'll later have to prove you didn't commit. Worst of all, this can take years, complex procedures, and enormous emotional toll.

What if you've already shared it? Don't blame yourself: most of us have been there. But you can take action by requesting a credit report from credit bureaus like Datacrédito or TransUnion to check for suspicious transactions , checking with your mobile operator to see if there are any other active lines in your name, or reviewing criminal and National Police records in case of identity theft.

If you detect irregularities, report them to the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC), which is the data protection authority in Colombia.

In a world where personal data is pure gold, your ID card is more valuable than you imagine. It's not about living with paranoia, but with caution. Every time you hand over a copy of your document, you are handing over a part of your identity. Do it consciously, safely, and with control.

We can no longer view the ID card as a mere piece of paper. It's a powerful tool, both for building and destroying your reputation.

Public and private entities that request documents must also assume their share of responsibility. They must implement clear protocols for document collection, storage, and destruction. It's unacceptable for a photocopy of your ID card to end up abandoned on a desk, in an unlocked file cabinet, or in an unshredded wastebasket.

Law 1581 of 2012 protects your personal information, and companies that collect it are required to safeguard it properly. But, in practice, there is still a long way to go.

Your ID card is your identity. Don't hand it over without knowing why, to whom, and for what purpose. Cross it out, mark it, send it in black and white if necessary , and always keep evidence. Identity theft is not only a reality, but it's more common than you think. And prevention is much easier than cure. Because in the end, protecting your ID card means protecting your name. And in the digital world, that's everything.

In countries like Spain, where the national identity document (DNI) is technologically similar to our Colombian ID card, data protection experts have developed clear guidelines on how to share it securely. These recommendations can be perfectly applied to our context:

1. Don't share your ID card casually. Always ask yourself: Is it really necessary to provide a copy? If it is, ask to know what it will be used for, how it will be protected, and whether it will be destroyed at the end of the process.

2. Mark the copy with a purpose. Write on the photocopy: "Valid only for (name of entity or procedure), date (DD/MM/YYYY). This prevents the copy from being used in another location or context."

3. Delete or pixelate unnecessary data. The ID card contains information such as your ID number, date of birth, gender, and RH. If they only need to verify your identity, you can hide some information with a marker or digitally edit it before sending it. Check what is strictly necessary and hide the rest.

4. Send black and white copies. A little-known best practice is to send copies in black and white. This makes them difficult to reproduce and use for fraudulent purposes, as it prevents, for example, replicating official colors and visual details that facilitate counterfeiting.

5. Avoid sending your ID card via WhatsApp or social media. Although practical, sharing your ID card via messaging apps, social media, or unencrypted email can be risky. These channels are vulnerable to hacking and uncontrolled forwarding.

6. Keep proof of sending. Keep a copy of the message or email where you shared the document, including the date and the recipient's name. This can help you later prove when and with whom you shared the copy.

(*) Cybersecurity specialist