Today at Lunch I got more than I bargained for, a guy two tables away from me shared his personal finances with absolutely everyone in the restaurant. It was incredible how much information was divulged in a short space of time. Strangely it kind of motivated me if someone that stupid can be successful then success can’t be that closely correlated with intelligence. This wasn’t a case of listening in on someones conversation, simply the conversation on our table (and most others) stopped because the person was so loud we’d have been shouting just to be heard by the person next to us.

I don’t feel the need to paint the picture because you already know the type, you’ve met them before no doubt. They are certain the world revolves around them and the louder they talk the clearer people will understand their point.

As their meal started Mr. Loud lets call him, received a call from his investment fund manager. Through the next 20 minute conversation I knew absolutely everything about the state of his finances. The conversation revolved around the guy not wanting to pay his fund managers administration charges on the basis that his investments hadn’t been successful in the last few months (recession anyone) and therefore he didn’t deserve his fee’s (idiot!!!). In some odd way of trying to impress his fund manager (who works for one the banks) he was telling him of all the business he’s done with his bank and all about how negative performance in his business would not be rewarded with any pay.

Very quickly one could deduce this less than socially aware person has two mortgages hence owned two properties, invests in blocks of 30-50k without understanding the investment vehicles he invests in, is a founder and managing director of a technology company and then by giving his email address he gave away his companies name and his own. It was car crash TV, think the MTV jack ass of corporate stupidity. Knowing the field he’s in the competition would have definitely paid for the information he was throwing away. All in all, one could deduce the companies financial situation, his personal asset base and have enough data to preform identity theft.

So next time your out and your phone rings, remember that something as simple as calling out your email address in public is giving away a lot more than how to contact you.