Wanderlust and a desire to turn our kids into global citizens has me planning getaways to far off places in my head. Gorgeous travel photos from glossy tour company brochures and magazines don’t show the seedier of side of what can happen when travel at home or abroad. A worry-free vacation can turn into a huge hassle if you’re too relaxed and let your guard down. Just as when you’re at home, you have to be vigilant about taking precautions to avoid identity theft while traveling.
If you haven’t ever thought about your identity being stolen while on vacation, identity theft in the summer is quite common. Take a look!
Now that you know that identity theft during vacation is a reality, what can you do to protect yourself from identity theft to ensure that your vacation is relaxing?
Here are 7 tips that will help you safeguard your identity while traveling:
- As much as we like to share news via our social networks, resist the urge to Tweet or post Facebook updates about your travel plans. Also turn off any apps that use geolocating since thieves may use this information to target empty homes.
- Ensure that your anti-virus and anti-spyware software on laptop computer is up to date and running. Having an active license protects you from key loggers, hackers, spammers, and botnets.
- When accessing your email from cybercafes, hotels, or other public locations with internet access, avoid entering any passwords to your personal financial accounts and make sure you log off from each site when you finish with your session. If you’re connecting with wifi, not all public hot spots are secure. Use encryption software to protect yourself.
- Leave non-essential credit cards at home. Carry one with you and keep a backup card in the hotel safe. Bring a copy of the emergency contact numbers for your credit cards and bank accounts in case they’re lost or stolen. The more credit cards you have, the harder they can be to keep track of and are less likely to realize they’re missing until it’s too late.
- Make a copy of the cards and documents in your wallet or purse, including credit and ATM cards, store cards, drivers’ licenses, etc. Leave the copy with someone you trust so if your wallet or purse is stolen, you’ll know what to cancel. Or enroll in a card registry program that has your card information on file.
- If you’re traveling for an extended period enroll in a credit and public monitoring service such as Identity Guardthat will alert you to potentially suspicious activity.
- Consider leaving your main laptop at home. When you think about all the information on your computer, do you really want it to fall into the hands of others? Remove essential items or take a secondary computer with less information on it.
What precautions do you take to safeguard yourself when on vacation to ensure that you can relax?
Identity Guard and kID Sure were provided to me for review at no charge for my involvement as a kID Sure Ambassador. In addition, I received monetary compensation but all opinions are my own.
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Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
©2012
I'm a DC Metro area dwelling mom of 2 and former teacher with an background in classroom technology integration & school administration. I am a family internet safety & security expert, social media consultant, columnist for Parents.com and Scholastic Parents, dog owner, car enthusiast, and an avid gardener. I also work for Clever Girls Collective. {
