This may not be the best question for this community, but I believe it should be open ended.

The reason I have been thinking about this question is because someone once said: “as soon as you turn 18, card companies will start sending you offers and advertisements”. How do they get that information? Is it through my bank or something else I naively signed up for?

I am a big “opsec” nut. I take steps to not give out my information. I do not give information to social media websites as I do not even have an account on most of them. I only just closed my only bank account I ever had. I do not have any subscriptions or services. And you can assume the rest.

I think this would be a good test to see what may have leaked to companies so far.

I don’t know many other ways I can ask the question. I just want to be prepared and be unknown.

Not exactly asking for advice, just what precautions everyone else has taken in their life. If I am asking in the wrong place, I hope I can get good redirection.