If you think standing at the baggage carousel and browsing the internet on the free wifi is a good idea, you could be one of millions of American’s this summer who will come home to the news their identity has been stolen. In fact, 27,000 Americans are victims of ID theft every day and that number increases substantially during holidays. Studies have shown that when we travel, we drop our guard and practically invite thieves to steal from us.Dirtsearch.org recommends the following ways to protect your identity while traveling:
1. Check travel companies with the Better Business Bureau (BBB): Before you sign up for that next travel deal, make sure that the company is legit. Entering credit card information on sites that aren’t, can only result in trouble. You may also want to ensure that you take precautions at home to lock up precious items and make your house look ‘lived’ in.
2. Opt out of free wi-fi, anywhere: A safer bet is to establish a personal hotspot with your cell carrier and to protect it with a complex password.
3. Be religious about passwords: Use complex letter and number arrangements and do not store your passwords on your browser. Trade the convenience of having your Facebook pop up logged in and ready to go with the safety and security of logging in each time.
4. Make sure your credit card is hidden at all times: Only carry the cards you need. When you are at the airline counter and the reservation clerk is taking your credit card for luggage charges, you should not leave your credit card open on the table for all to see. Someone can easily come behind you, snap a picture of that information and steal your identity. Believe it or not, thieves can steal your card information from thin air, even in your pocket. Especially if traveling abroad or to Vegas, consider buying a radio frequency blocker or asking your provider for a non RIFD card. (Consumer Reports). http://www.
6. Avoid bogus or off-brand ATM’s: Thieves place these phony ATMs in high traffic areas and they are also easy to compromise when no one is looking. Remember that ATM at the back of the sketchy mini-mart? You used it didn’t you? Stick to ATMs in banks or in grocery stores. When traveling abroad, ask your travel professional or concierge for the best locations.
7. Make sure you keep receipts: When traveling overseas especially conversion rates can be tough. Keep receipts to ensure no overcharges because you can always dispute any charges later. Without good record keeping you are at anyone’s mercy.
8. Know your companions. Use a free service like dirtsearch.org to check out your traveling companions in advance. Although past indiscretions are not necessarily an indication of the future, wouldn’t you prefer to know someone is bankrupt or was charged with robbery before you went to Italy with them?
9. Consider your surroundings. Be especially aware when in places with high likelihood for desperate people: casinos, night clubs, air ports and hospitals.
