 Going on Vacation? Protect Your Identity
If you're planning a vacation anytime soon, we recommend you take a few precautions to make sure you protect yourself from possible loss. 1. Tell your banks and credit card companies about your travel plans. Avoid the hassle of a frozen account. Instruct them to contact your cell phone number if they notice suspicious activity. 2. Secure your mail. Hold your mail with the post office or have a friend pick it up daily. 3. Weed out your wallet. Outsmart pickpockets and leave behind your checkbook, Social Security card and other nonessentials. 4. Make digital copies of important travel documents. This allows for easier replacement if they are stolen or missing. While you're away 5. Choose ATMs wisely. Withdraw cash only at major institutions after inspecting them for tampering. Use a PIN-based ATM card instead of a debit card. 6. Use secure Internet connections. Don't access personal or financial information on public computers. 7. Use a hotel safe. Never leave out personal information, a laptop or a smartphone in your hotel room or rental car. 8. Avoid over sharing Never post specific vacation plans or pictures on social networking sites. It's an open invitation to potential thieves. When you return 9. Check accounts regularly. Frequently check credit and bank account activity on a secure computer or by phone while you're away and when you return. 10. Shred boarding passes, itineraries and other paperwork that contains valuable information. Never throw these documents away |