Don’t Let Identity Thieves Spoil Your Vacation

Posted Jul 19 2010 by Sheri Stuart in 

You’ve worked hard and deserve to enjoy that long-awaited vacation. Whether you’re relaxing near home or traveling abroad, taking steps to protect your personal information will help keep identity thieves from spoiling your summer fun. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. While avoiding identity theft is not simple, there are several common sense things that consumers can do. Springboard recommends the following prevention tips:

  • Forward mail to a local post office when going on vacation or have a neighbor you trust pick up your mail.
  • Do not place outgoing mail in your mailbox. Deposit mail in a U.S. mailbox or at the post office to reduce the chance of mail theft.
  • Refrain from carrying unnecessary information such as PINS, passwords, or social security numbers in your wallet or purse.
  • Photocopy your passport
  • Photocopy all the contents of your wallet or purse. Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. This way, you will know what you had in your wallet if it is stolen and you will have all the account numbers and phone numbers to call and report the theft. Keep photocopies in a safe place – fire proof lock box, safe, or safety deposit box.

For more tips on identity theft prevention, Springboard’s eBook, ID Theft: Protecting and Restoring Your Good Name, is available for free download or view it online.

Photo: epsos

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Sheri StuartSheri Stuart is a dedicated financial educator and experienced communications specialist and her public awareness initiatives of writing and submitting money management articles, consumer tips, and press releases have developed a communications program and activities that provide consumers access to quality financial education information. Learn more about Sheri.View all posts by Sheri Stuart →

  • Aaron

    When I go traveling abroad I'll typically wear a money belt where I stash my passport and credit cards. If I can lock it up at the hotel I'll do so, along with the photocopies of them. Then all I need to do is pull out a couple hundred bucks in cash from the ATM and put one day's worth of money in my normal wallet.

    This way if I get my wallet stolen, I am out only a days worth of money. Also this method keeps me on a fixed daily budget which helps keep the travel expenses under control.

  • http://www.credit.org Sheri

    Aaron,

    Thank you for writing and sharing this helpful information.

  • Debbie

    In my experience with Identity theft I have found monitoring my credit reports on a monthly basis, maintaining careful records of my financial & banking accounts as well as being stingy with my personal information reduces this risk.

    I shred anything that contains my personal information, bank statements, credit card statements, checks, I never keep my social security card in my wallet or anything containing personal data in case my purse or wallet is stolen.

    I do not share my personal information with family members, all important documents are kept in a lock box. By being proactive I feel confident I will not be a victim of Identitiy theft.

  • http://www.credit.org Sheri

    Debbie,

    Great! Keep being proactive. Thanks for sharing!

  • Lou Ann Roberts

    1. We call our credit card company and let them know where we are going.

    2. We lock up or money in the safe in the hotel or cruise ship.

    3. We also do not have a lot of money showing when we make purchases.

    4. We do not leave message on phone that we are out of town.

    5. We pack up the car inside the garage.

    6. We let relatives and a neighbor know we are out of town & leave a key with relative.

    7. I use a small purse that I can wear in front of me.

    8. You can cash a check at your hotel. I never write a check when out of the state or country, which I do not think they will take any more. You have to put too much info on it.

    9. Do not carry large bills when out and about, make change at the hotel.

    10 keep coins and a few dollar bills in your pocket so you can have quick access.

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