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(ARA) – You have planned for months, and now your bags are packed and you’re on your way to a long-awaited summer vacation. Like many vacationers, the threat of identity theft isn’t on your mind, much less your itinerary. As millions of Americans pack their bags and plan their summer excursions, many of these travelers could be easy targets for identity theft, which, according to the Federal Trade Commission, affects approximately 10 million Americans each year. “Few consumers realize how easily their summer get-away can be derailed by identity thieves looking for new ways to defraud unsuspecting victims,” says Robin Holland, consumer credit expert and group executive of North American operations for Atlanta-based Equifax. “Simply losing your wallet can mean that a thief now has the tools needed to steal your identity and wreak havoc on your finances.”
While there is no perfect solution to prevent identity theft, there are steps you can take to stay ahead of thieves.
Plan in advance
Have your mail held at the post office for the duration of your trip. A mailbox stuffed with bills, bank statements and pre-approved credit card offers signals that you’re away, giving thieves easy access to documents containing your personal information.
Guard your cards
Limit the number of credit cards you carry. Withdraw small amounts of cash from an ATM each day so that you can use local currency and minimize the chance that someone may steal your credit card number. If you lose your credit card, contact the credit card company’s fraud division immediately. When you get home, pay close attention to your credit card bills and the billing cycles. If your bill arrives late or you notice other unusual activity, contact the credit card company to ensure the card hasn’t been used fraudulently.
PIN it down
Memorize your personal identification number (PIN) and don’t travel with a written record of personal information. Always safeguard your PIN from the view of potential “shoulder surfers” who may watch you enter your information at the ATM.
Play it safe in Internet cafés
While Internet cafés are an easy way to keep in touch while on vacation, they can make your personal information especially vulnerable to identity thieves. Avoid using these computers to pay bills or carry out other business that involves sensitive information.
Monitor your credit regularly
Review your credit report frequently to ensure that it reflects only activities you’ve authorized. Credit monitoring services such as Equifax Credit Watch can serve as an effective early warning system for fraud. Recently Equifax introduced Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 Monitoring, which notifies you of key changes to your credit files from all three nationwide credit reporting companies. For those on the road, this product is equipped to provide wireless alerts via cellular phone or through a PDA device.
With a little advance planning, you can help prevent identity thieves from turning your dream vacation into a nightmare. For more information about protecting yourself against identity theft, visit www.equifax.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
