Protecting Your Privacy & Identity

Your privacy is yours to control.

Working discreetly means deciding exactly who knows what about you — and keeping it that way. You do not have to share your real name, your home address or anything else you are not comfortable with. This guide walks you through simple, practical steps to keep your personal identity private and firmly in your control.

What Stays Private, and What You Control

You get to decide how much of the real you is ever visible. These are the details most people choose to keep separate:

Your legal name — a working name is completely normal
Your home address and the area you actually live in
Your personal phone number and everyday messaging apps
Your face and any identifying features in photos
Your bank details and how you are paid
Your personal email and social media accounts

The Layers of Your Identity to Protect

Privacy is easier when you think of your information in separate layers — and guard each one on purpose:

Your Legal Identity
Your real name, date of birth and any documents. Share these only with verified employers or platforms when there is a genuine, lawful reason — never with clients.
Your Contact Details
Set up a separate work phone number, email and messaging profile. Keep them completely apart from your personal accounts so nothing links back to the real you.
Your Location
Avoid naming your exact area, local landmarks or your commute. Turn off location tags on photos and posts so no one can piece together where you live.
Your Digital Footprint
Your search history, tagged photos and old accounts can all reveal more than you think. Use a fresh identity online and keep your two worlds firmly separated.

Good to know: Using a working name and separate contact details is standard practice across the industry — it is not dishonest, it is smart. Plenty of professionals in many fields keep a public and a private identity. You are simply drawing a healthy boundary.

Your Privacy Checklist

Key points to keep in mind:

Choose a working name and use it consistently
Set up a dedicated work phone number or SIM
Create a separate email address for all work matters
Use a private messaging app for client contact only
Turn off location and metadata on your photos
Review and lock down your personal social media privacy settings
Decide in advance what you will never share, and stick to it
Consider a separate bank account for work income

Why It Matters

Stay safe and reduce the risk of unwanted contact
Keep your two worlds completely separate
Feel calmer and more in control at work
Protect friends, family and your wider life
Control who ever sees your face or real details
Build a professional profile on your own terms

Tips for Staying Private

Never share your real name or home address with clients
Check photos for reflections, backgrounds and location tags before posting
Use a password manager and strong, unique passwords for work accounts
Do not reuse profile photos that also appear on your personal accounts
Search your own working name occasionally to see what is public
Trust your instincts — if a request for personal details feels wrong, say no

Staying in Control of What You Share

You are never obliged to hand over personal information, and a respectful employer or client will understand that. If someone pressures you to reveal your real name, your address or where you live, treat it as a red flag and step back.

Only share identity documents through verified, trusted channels when there is a clear, lawful reason — for example, age or right-to-work checks with a legitimate employer — and never with a client. Keep a written record of what you have shared and with whom. If your privacy is ever compromised, our Safety Centre has step-by-step guidance and support to help you regain control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name?

No. Using a working name is standard, safe and completely accepted in the industry. Keep your legal name for verified employers or lawful checks only — never share it with clients.

How do I keep my phone number private?

Set up a separate work number using a second SIM, a dual-SIM phone or an app that provides a virtual number. Keep it strictly for work so nothing links back to your personal life.

What should I do if my privacy is compromised?

Stay calm and act quickly. Change any exposed passwords, review your privacy settings, and keep evidence of what happened. Visit our Safety Centre for detailed steps and support, and report the issue to the platform involved.

Is it safe to share photos of myself?

Sharing photographs always involves some privacy risk. Before posting, check the background, remove unnecessary location metadata and consider whether the image could identify you or reveal information about your home or routine. Review the platform's audience and download settings where available. Only share images you are comfortable making available to the intended audience.

Can employers ask for my identity documents?

An employer may legitimately need identity documents for verification, employment eligibility or other applicable legal requirements. Before providing them, verify the employer, confirm why the documents are required and use an appropriate secure channel. Avoid sending sensitive documents to unknown individuals or through suspicious links.

How do I separate my professional and personal social media accounts?

Use separate email addresses and, where appropriate, different usernames and profile photographs. Review account-discovery settings, contact syncing, tagged posts and linked profiles. Avoid reusing identifying details that make it easy to connect the two accounts.

Can someone identify my location from a photograph?

Potentially. A photograph may reveal location through embedded metadata, visible street signs, recognisable buildings or distinctive surroundings. Review images before sharing them, remove location metadata when appropriate and avoid posting real-time location information publicly.

How can I protect my identity from online scams?

Use unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication and avoid opening suspicious links or attachments. Never share passwords or one-time security codes. Verify requests for money or sensitive information through an independent, trusted channel before responding.

Should I share my personal social media accounts with an employer?

You do not generally need to provide personal social media access simply to discuss a job. If an employer requests a profile or account information, ask why it is relevant and consider whether sharing it is necessary. Never disclose account passwords or give someone unauthorised access to your private accounts.

Where can I get help if I feel unsafe or my privacy is at risk?

You can report suspicious behaviour through the relevant platform and seek help from appropriate support services or authorities, depending on the situation. Keep evidence of threats or unwanted disclosures where safe to do so. The Discreet Careers Safety Centre provides additional guidance on personal safety and reporting concerns.

Ready to take control of your privacy?

Visit our Safety Centre for practical tools and guidance to keep your identity secure.

Visit the Safety Centre