Identity Thieves Don't Take A Holiday
By Linda Foley
Winter 2006-07
The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the biggest shopping season of the year, so it is a good time to remind everyone to take additional precautions against identity theft. Because of the distractions of the holidays and crowded shopping environments, conditions are ripe for identity thieves to take advantage of the situation.
With some additional awareness, the holiday season does not have to provide an open door to identity thieves. The Identity Theft Resource Center recommends that you follow these 10 tips to help convince a thief to find an easier target:
1. Mail interception: Watch your monthly bills to ensure that they are indeed delivered. The holidays will cause some mailing delays but if you have not received your bills within a few days of their regularly scheduled dates, contact both the issuer and the post office. If you suspect mail theft, inform the Postal Inspector’s Office. Remember, a locked mailbox is a necessity in today’s world.
2. Shoulder surfing: Shoppers often open new credit cards to cover large holiday purchases. It’s also a perfect time for shoulder surfers – those who either purposely overhear conversations or look over shoulders – to steal sensitive information. No matter how busy, take a few extra moments to protect credit cards, driver’s licenses and checks from wandering eyes.
3. Credit card receipts: Many companies truncate or block out part of your credit card number from the customer’s copy of a receipt. It is already required in some states and being implemented via federal law. The gift receipt should not have a credit card number on it at all. Place that receipt in a secure location in your wallet; do not throw it in the purchase bag. Pickpockets and thieves are watching!
4. Information protection: Cross-cut shred any receipts you no longer want, especially those with credit card numbers on them. Lock up documents containing financial, credit or Social Security information before allowing guests into your home. Be stingy with your Social Security number; there are few reasons any company might need it. Add passwords to all your credit cards, financial accounts and utility accounts to verify your identity. By the way, cross-cut shredders make great gifts!
5. Credit card skimming: This occurs when a clerk slides your credit card through a second machine that scans the information from the magnetic strip and stores it until it is downloaded onto a counterfeit card. The golden rule is “out of sight, out of control.” Keep your eyes on your cards at all times. Don’t let a clerk or accomplice distract you from the transaction.
6. Dumpster diving: We all get more mail than we can deal with at this time of year. Take the time to look through each envelope – it may contain a pre-approved credit card offer or transfer-balance check that looks like a greeting card. Shred any documents that contain bar codes or sensitive data that someone could use to steal an identity.
7. Mailing bills: Mail envelopes containing checks or sensitive information at the post office. During the holidays, make sure that the post office box is sufficiently empty so that your mail doesn’t sit within easy reach of someone’s inquiring hands.
8. Online shopping: Keep a printout of the web page(s) describing the item you ordered, any e-mail messages, and the page that shows the seller’s name, address, telephone number and return policies in case you have any problems. For online purposes, it is not necessary to provide a Social Security number; a credit card number should do. Avoid using debit cards for this purpose. Make sure the company is on a secure server site and that the information you send is encrypted.
9. Document and purse snatching: Unzipped purses, bags that are open or hanging over your back are open invitations to pickpockets. Carry your wallet or purse securely. A woman carrying a purse should loop the strap over the shoulder and have the clasp side of the purse against the front of the body. A man with a wallet should carry it in the front pocket or in back in a velcro-closed pocket. Wrap a large rubber band around the wallet a few times to create more friction, making it harder for the thief to pick your pocket.
10. Travel light: Make it harder for thieves by minimizing what you carry with you. Leave extra credit cards, check books, deposit slips and debit cards with VISA or Mastercard logos at home. Those are the easiest items for a thief to use.
# # #
Linda Foley is executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center (www.idtheftcenter.org), a non-profit organization based in San Diego that provides identity theft victim assistance, business and consumer education, and serves as a resource for law enforcement and government agencies regarding identity theft.