Which five pieces of information are required from everyone you contact?

• A. Name, Date of Birth, Address, Phone Number 1, Phone Number 2
• B. Name, Social Security Number, Address, Email, Employer
• C. Name, Alias, Vehicle, Occupation, Phone
• D. Name, Date of Birth, Ethnicity, Address, Height

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is choosing enough information to reliably identify and contact someone without overreaching into sensitive or irrelevant data. The best set includes name, date of birth, address, and two phone numbers. Name helps identify who you’re contacting; date of birth adds a layer for confirming identity; the address provides a physical location or mailing route; having two phone numbers gives a primary line and a backup in case one number isn’t reachable.

Other options bundle in information that isn’t needed just to contact someone, and sometimes risks unnecessary privacy exposure. For example, a Social Security Number is highly sensitive and not typically required for routine contact. Details like alias, vehicle, ethnicity, height, or employer aren’t needed to reach or verify someone’s identity. An email might be useful in some contexts, but it doesn’t replace having accessible phone contacts and a verified address.