P411 recommends providing real information when creating the client ID. Would you all recommend using real info or hobby info? Thanks in advance.
You will need to provide some real information but they assure you once you pass screening that info is destroyed. Yes, you do need to trust them, but I'm not aware of a single instance in which the info was compromised. If P411 is careless with it they'll ruin their business. You need to make a leap of faith.
I used real info. They recommend using info from your drivers license so that if the provider wants to match yours ID to your P411 account she will know she's meeting the same person. I have the day of the month I was born (it asks for the day not year of birth) and the last four digits of my drivers license number. Although I've never been asked to show my ID if I was I would cover my name and address and show her that info. The rest of the ID is real as well but that's just so I can remember it when logging in.
Yes, it's a common first name and I'd rather they called me that then some made up name or honey. Believe me I'm a paranoid guy but I just don't think that giving up a real first name like Mike, David, or Bob is a security concern.
You could always Google for an associated name, shorten your real name into a nickname or use a nickname..just some ideas.
I use the first name I go by, it's fairly common, and I use a made up last name. I find it easier not to mess up on my name if I'm using my actual name. Besides, the name I go by is a derivative of the real name and also is my middle name.
Swim