Don't Take a Vacation from Protecting Against Identity Theft
It is human nature to let your guard down when you go on vacation and not worry about day-to-day matters. Identity thieves count on that and take advantage of travelers by stealing their identities through a variety of methods. By following the steps below, you stand a better chance of enjoying your summer and not returning to an identity theft nightmare.
- Don't broadcast that you will be away on Facebook and other social networks. Wait to upload your vacation videos and photos until you return.
- Arrange for your mail and newspapers to be held or picked up to keep your home from appearing deserted.
- Whenever possible, pay for hotels and attraction tickets in advance to reduce the amount unfamiliar places you use your credit card.
- Clean out your wallet of cards and information you won't need on your trip. That includes taking no more than two credit cards and a debit card to reduce your liability in case they are stolen.
- When using ATMs in unfamiliar locations, examine the machine to make sure that no skimming devises have been attached. Only use machines in well-lit areas and cover the key pad from prying eyes when you enter your PIN number.
- Just as if you were home, be careful how you respond to emails or phone calls from people who claim to represent your credit card or banking institution. Call the number on the back of the card or visit the site without using the link provided in any email you receive no matter how official it looks.
- Beware of hotel computers, cybercafés and free Wi-Fi hotspots which may not encrypt data and which could contain software that captures your keystrokes and records passwords.
- Don't leave personal information in the hotel room. Keep your financial information with you or lock it in the hotel safe.
- Be sure to open all bills and monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity after coming back from a trip. Stagger the free copies of the reports from the three credit bureaus that you are entitled to receive each year so that you can review activity every four months.
