December is flying by! Chances are, you are one of the many individuals who are scrambling to get everything done for the holidays. Amid the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to let your guard down and not be as alert to potential theft and fraud. In his recent article on USAToday.com, Jeff Reeves provides excellent advice on protecting yourself against identity theft. Below are some tips to help you finish your shopping safely.
Tips for Safe Shopping
Watch the point of sale: While some identity theft happens behind the scenes, “skimmers” are physical devices that scammers can place on card readers to steal your information as you swipe your card at the gas pump, checkout line or ATM. A good rule of thumb is to never use a card reader that appears to have been tampered with or looks like it has been simply added on to the other systems. Also, always keep your PIN number out of sight when using your debit card; simply cover the number pad with your free hand or your body to prevent others from seeing your access code.
Watch for fake deals and fake websites: One of the most common tricks for Grinchy scam artists is to offer you a great holiday deal or coupon that is simply a way to steal your personal information. “Be wary of messages delivered to you by e-mail or text message even if they appear to come from a company or person you trust,” says Lucas Zaichkowsky, enterprise defense architect at Resolution1 Security. And if you do get an e-mail with an offer that seems real, “look closely at the address to make sure it goes to the exact Web address you would expect,” Zaichkowsky says.
Use credit cards, not debit cards or checks: “Under the Fair Credit Billing Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, you are not liable for fraudulent purchases with a credit card. Also, you often get your money back quickly from your credit card provider and they take the dispute to the merchant on your behalf. “Protect yourself by always using a credit card and not a debit card,” Ghetti said, particularly when shopping online.
Travel light: If your purse or briefcase is a mess, consider the risk of identity theft as a great reason to clean things up. Carrying around bills, extra credit cards or checkbooks only increases the risk that thieves may get their hands on them. Try to only carry checks and credit cards you intend on using, and never carry documents with sensitive account information.
Follow-Up on Your Finances
Once you have some time to breathe after the holidays, make it a point to look over your credit card reports and bank statements. Since you may already be setting some financial goals in January, it’s a great time to also review your accounts and check for fraudulent transactions. If you notice any unauthorized charges or discrepancies in your records, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. All of these actions will ensure that you get started on the right foot for the New Year.
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