How NOT To Become a Victim

Summer is here and if you’re like many folks it’s the perfect time of year to head out on a vacation. Before you hit the road or hop on a plane, it’s a good idea to understand the risks of ID theft while traveling and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. Here’s a quick list of steps to take before you travel.

1. Clean Out Your Wallet and/or Your Purse

When traveling, it’s recommended that you only carry what is necessary in your wallet and/or your purse. So other than your passport, your driver’s license and credit or debit cards you plan on using, it’s a good idea to leave the rest home. This reduces the risk of theft of items that have your identity on them.

2. Don’t Post Travel Plans on Social Media

Although it’s exciting to share your vacation plans and experiences, it’s best to do this once you’ve returned home. Sharing travel plans online lets everyone know you’re going to be away, your home will be empty and gives thieves an opportunity to track you.

3. Let Your Bank and Credit Card Companies Know You are Traveling

It’s a good idea to let your bank and credit card companies know you are traveling to prevent them from declining your purchases as fraud–it also helps them monitor your accounts in the event that someone attempts to steal your information.

4. Keep Your Boarding Passes Safe

If you have paper boarding passes, don’t throw them in the hotel trash or in the trash at an Airbnb, etc. These documents seem innocuous enough, but contain just enough information for an ID thief. Your best bet is to rip them up and keep them in your suitcase until you return home.

5. Pay All Your Bills Before You Leave

If you have bills that will be due while you’re away, set up payments beforehand so you don’t have to go online on a public WiFi. Logging onto your accounts while you’re away is a risk as public WiFi is not secure and hackers are adept at gaining your information.

6. Keep Passports and Other Documents Safe

If you’re staying in a hotel, keep your passports and driver’s license in the hotel safe unless you need them while you’re sightseeing, etc.

7. Stay Alert and Aware

While enjoying your vacation, stay alert and aware. Keep valuables and any ids in your carry-on and not in your suitcase. Limit social media activity and ATM use.

To protect your identity while traveling, follow the steps above. All Points Mobile Shredding helps residential and business customers prevent ID theft by providing full service shredding and destruction. Our state-of-the-art shredding trucks come to your home or office and perform every shred onsite. This allows you to witness the entire process. We shred everything from documents and files to hard drives, cell phones, tablets, products, apparel and more. Give us a call today or complete the form on this page to learn more.