HOW TO AVOID IDENTITY THEFT WHILE ABROAD
Traveling for business or pleasure involves a lot of planning. From hotel and car reservations to activities and sightseeing tours, people always try to plan for everything to go well.
Within the many details involved in a trip, one item that is usually left out of people´s to do list– identity theft protection while on the road.
Taking steps to help protect yourself from identity theft must be prioritized. Whether your travel plans involve a national, an international flight or a quick road trip, it is important to keep identity thieves away while you enjoying a break.
Thieves are always looking for an opportunity to grab personal information all around the world. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have had their identities stolen each year.
With such advances in technology nowadays, there is a worrying assumption that this will provide the solution to identity theft whereas it is possible that it will actually aggravate the problem. Chip and pin technology for credit cards will force fraudsters to be more creative and are unlikely to alleviate the problem, however in my experience the following tips may help you make your travels a little less risky.
· Let your bank know of your travel plans!
Letting your financial institutions know when and where you are traveling can make things easier for you. You do not want your bank or lender to decline your debit or credit card because you are making a transaction in an unexpected location. Some financial institutions have online forms if calling is not convenient.
Communication with your bank will avoid unexpected issues; plan so you do not have to waste time of your vacation on the phone with the bank.
· Hold mail while away!
Rather than having your mail pile up, I have learned is best to pause mail delivery, particularly if the travel plans are for an extended period.
Your mail can include a variety of documents with sensitive personal information that could be used to steal your identity. At the very least, make sure you have a secure mailbox that cannot be accessed by everyone. Remember opportunity makes a thief!.
· Do not over carry personal documents!
If you are like the majority of us, you tend to carry documents “just in case”. I have heard people even carrying a binder with everything including their birth certificate scared that they may be stuck in another country. It is one of the biggest mistakes; far from helping, this actually increases the risk of being a victim of identity theft. Your passport, one or two credits cards (a primary and a backup) is more than enough.
Avoid carrying your Social Security card. It is high on the list of information an identity thief would likely want.
· Keep an eye on your bags!
I always recommend carrying a backpack, especially an antitheft backpack to make sure no one can get their hands in the pockets while you are distracted. One of the most common mistakes people make is checking the bags and leaving documents on the luggage’s front pockets. Unfortunately, it is very common for the airport personnel to pick inside the luggage while sorting them out to the different planes. I highly recommend you to keep your documents in your carryon and always use a lock. Better safe than sorry!
· Use the hotel safe and do not leave items in sight in your room!
When you traveling, it is just not possible to keep your stuff with you at all times. Because of this, I have often found myself wondering about leaving valuables in a hotel room; there is always a voice in the back of your head questioning whether is ok to leave important items in sight. However, it is not just theft. Have you ever heard of the “Evil Maid attack“?
Rather than stealing your laptop or phone, someone installs malware onto your device and before you know it, you are just giving them everything next time you use it.
They do not even need to turn your computer on. It is often done by opening your computer and adding a bit of hardware so be careful.
When possible use the hotel safe and if something does not fit, hide it! Get creative!
· Be smart when using cards!
Try to use ATMs at local banks. Fraudsters hoping to steal your debit or credit card’s data may more easily tamper with machines at bars, restaurants and other locations. Remember to avoid making card transactions on public computers, even in hotel business centers. Key loggers and other malware may make your personal data vulnerable. Try not to let your payment cards out of sight at restaurants and other locations. It is easy for an unscrupulous worker to quickly take a picture or write down your card information. Use common sense when it comes to where and when to use cards to avoid regretting poor card management later.
No one can protect you against all identity theft, but doing what you can to help protect your personal information can make your travels, as well as your return home, a lot less stressful and much more enjoyable.