GedMatch sharing Tree with Private information, Why?

Question

I have included Wiki to my GedMatch to help DNA Relatives find our connection. I recently viewed this shared information & found that Private Profile names are visible & last four credit card ####'s also visible, even though Both Sites are Free. Please explain why I am seeing these Private things?  I recently received a message for a Private Profile on my tree. This Private Profile should not be visible to the public. Please explain?

Comments

S.B. ...

I'm not sure what you're seeing, but it doesn't sound like it's coming from WikiTree. Even being logged in with my admin (sysop) account, I am unable to see anything resembling the last 4 digits of a credit card number.

If you'd like to send me the URL where you're seeing this, I might be able to shed some light ??? (maybe?) Feel free to send me a private message if you don't want to post it here.

Regarding the private profiles on your tree, I believe the answers below have covered that. You can also use the "Profile (public view)" tab on any of those profiles to see what the general public sees (i.e., people who are not on the Trusted List).

Answer 1

Just to note, in a Private profile on WikiTree the first and last names, along with any prefix, suffix, or comments would be visible to the public, and you can choose to make the biography, or family tree, or both public as well.  In order to make nothing at all public, you would need to use the Unlisted setting, but it doesn't sound as if that would accomplish what you want.  Details here:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Privacy#Private_information

Also, when you're looking at the data on these sites, make sure you're not logged in to your own account, which might allow you to see more info than the general public would see.

Comments

Thank You!

Answer 2

I don't see how you can view credit card information as both sites only ask for a name and an email address.

Comments

Yep my Active four digit #### was listed directly after my name Profile name SB. This is odd since I was never asked for such information. This seems to be odd.

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Is this the number you are seeing? Beard-3002 That is your Wiki ID. We all have one. If the number matches the last four on your CC it is purely coincidental and cause for a good giggle, I'd say. lol

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No that is my Wiki Profile. The number seen is my last 4 digits of Credit Card. Which should never be shown. It may be only viewable to myself, but I am not sure how or why it is being seen at all since these are Free sites & have never asked for such information. I have changed my security. I also never allowed my devices to save any information. Smart phones are just too dang smart! Lol. With all the Fruad accurring in this World, even with Major Companies, it raises my concerns. Nothing seems to be safe these days with Electronic devices. This is why I have security insurance & fruad alert in place. Lol Thanks.

Answer 3

I think that you can see your family tree because you are logged in. I can see your bio but I get a message which says that noone except for your trusted list can currently see your DNA test information or family tree on here:

Only the Trusted List can access the following:

• S's formal name
• e-mail address
• images (11)
• family tree
• father's name
• mother's name
• siblings' names
• children's names (2)
• spouse's name and marriage information
• autosomal DNA test connections

If you're a family member request to join the Trusted List. You will be informed by e-mail if you are approved.

Comments

Thanks to all. It appears that I see more because I am logged in. The credit info. Shows up directly after my profile name. Yes this is strange that it does even if it is only seen by me. Thanks for everyone's concerns.

Answer 4

As I believe someone else noted, it is an unfortunate coincidence.  My WikiTree ID is Roberts-7085 but 7085 does not match anything of significance related to me.

Comments

Yes Beard-3002 is my profile name but this was not the four #### seen after that I will not share with public. I believe it's my device causing this. It just concerned me since I just saw in News of yet another company selling our Private information or being Hacked. I was already a victim & lost all my Genealogy records & Family Photos. Which is why I restarted my Genealogy research. At one time, I had every branch to the first settlers.

Thanks all! Ending discussion.