Preventing Credit Theft While On Vacation In 4 Steps

Going on a vacation may actually increase your risk for becoming a victim of identity theft

. The fact that you will be using your credit card in new, unfamiliar places is a risk enough. If youre going to be using ATM machines in foreign areas, thats another big security hole if youre on vacation. Factor in the fact that your credit card mails may pile up in your snail-mailbox ready for real-world thieves to pick up your credit card details then use them, and you are a sitting duck for identity theft on vacation. This is why you need to take measures to prevent credit theft while you're soaking up the sand and the surf.

Tip #1: Ask someone you absolutely trust to check your house and collect your mail for you. Or take it a notch higher and ask that person to house-sit for you. This way, your snail-mail gets collected and no credit card details will be left for just about anyone to pick up and use.

Tip #2: Don't leave gadgets lying around in your home. Credit protection may actually start with your hardware. As you ask someone to house-sit for you and avert burglaries, take an extra measure by stowing your gadgets in a safe. Or, take an extra precautionary measure and use a safety deposit box for your gadgets. Remember that your laptop, tablet, and mobile phones may contain logins, passwords, and even bank info, so safeguard these and safeguard the loss of both gadget and crucial information within the gadget.

Tip #3: Never let your gadgets lie around in the hotel room unattended. Either deposit these with safety deposit boxes available for hotel guests, or bring them with you. If these are cumbersome and more prone to losses when these items are carried with you, you may try asking your hotel for their housekeeping policies and checking if the hotel staff has access to guests' rooms even when they are away. This way, you will know how to store your gadgets.

Tip #4: Never leave your credit card with the bar or restaurant staff. If possible, accompany the restaurant staff to the credit card machine or the cashier, so that you will be able to see what your credit card is going through. Remember that "skimming" card information is a growing criminal practice, and you will be at a greater risk if you don't monitor your credit cards and ATM cards closely enough.

Protect credit during vacation by being more aware of how your financial data is being used. Be on the lookout for ATM machines booby-trapped with skimming contraptions by checking the area for mirrors, cameras, or even skimming machine fittings. Don't leave your gadgets exposed to the risk of theft. Remember that when you protect your machines, you also protect your credit.

by: Amy

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