Have you ever wondered why you are asked for your zip code when checking out at a store? While this may seem innocent enough, it is just another way that retailers gather personal information about you.

Most of us are careful about providing our email address knowing it may be used for marketing purposes. Who wants an inbox full of spam and junk mail?

But we don’t often associate our zip code with marketing. Stores ask for your zip code because combined with the name found on your credit card, they can use it to obtain your mailing address which they can sell to data brokers and marketers. Before you know it, your mailbox is filled with flyers, magazines, catalogs, and other junk mail.

If you don’t think just giving your zip code will provide them with sensitive information, try doing a Google search for your name, then do a search for your name followed by your zip code. Most often the results using the zip code will be more specific to you.

They also request your zip code to identify where their customers are located and which products they are purchasing, this helps them in selecting new store locations and having the inventory that the customer is interested in. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It all comes down to privacy and how you feel about it. If you are concerned, you can simply decline when asked to provide your zip code.