For a frequent traveller rushing through crowded airports, hotels and other public places make ideal targets for ID thieves on the prowl for personal information.
"How do you prevent it from happening to you?" This is a growing problem and the bad news is that you really cannot prevent it but there are simple steps that you can take to minimize your risk and protect yourself when you are on the road.
Dump your debit card
You should never use a debit card when you travel, use credit card instead. Because debit card purchases are deducted from a checking account at the time they're made, which means that the cash has been siphoned out of your account before you are able to dispute fradulent charges.
Put your wallet on a diet
Never bring along your NRIC/Identity Card when you travel - your passport is good enough. In Singapore, your NRIC is used as identity in most places and thus it is important to keep it at home. Your driver's license would be necessary if you are intending to drive overseas and your identification needs to be verified.
Make copies, and keep them safe
If your wallet is stolen, you will need to get into action immediately. Travellers should photocopy the front and backs of their credit cards, driver's license, and passport, and leave them home with someone you trust. This is because with one phone call, you'll have all the information you need to start cancelling accounts. It is also wise not to bring so many credit cards in your wallet, and if only one is stolen you might not remember which one. Recommend to bring not more than four and keep one in your suit case so that you are able to pay for the hotel and get your yourself home.
Secure your data
You would not believe the amount of personal data that people carry around unsecured on their notebook, mobile phone or Blackberrys. You need to ensure that any sensitive information is password-protected and encrypted. Simply put, an intruder should not be able to get pass the opening screen without a password - that is the basic.
Look out when you log in
Travellers should use caution when logging into wireless networks, to verify that they are secure, and even then, to use them with caution. Some useful firewall and security softwares that Travellers should have on their notebook. If you are doing sensitive data transfer like on-line purchases or banking transactions ensure that the data transfer is encrypted using SSL (secure socket layer) - the small lock icon on the bottom right hand corner.
Take caution at the hotel
Hotels don's really run background checks on all employees, and a hotel room is a wonderful place to collect information. If you are leaving the room, ensure that your notebook is in the safe, along with your passport and all valuables. Travellers sometimes pay their bills and do their banking while they're on the road. You don't want financial statements and sensitive information getting into the wrong hands. This is also one reason I normally stay in good class hotels when I am on business - these hotels has a reputation to uphold and it's secure.
Watch what you are doing
Sometimes when we are travelling with colleaques and comparing notes - it is important to note that no sensitive information or comparing with the competitors be discussed. Business travellers are sometimes oblivious to their surroundings and they have got only business on their minds - thus they are much more vulnerable when distracted. It is important to get a business meeting room in the hotel for confidential discussion rather than in the open hotel foyer.
What to do when you suspect you are a victim of identity theft?
- Establish a fraud alert
- Call your respective country credit reporting agency and ask them to tag your account with a fraud alert. This will flag your file so that creditors must contact you before extending credit.
- Contact card issuers and bank. Explain your situation and then ask them to cancel your accounts and issue new cards with different account number.
- Call the policeNotify authorities in both your home city and the place where the theft occured. Sometimes, reporting to the police in the place where the theft occured can be difficult due to language barriers.
Resources:
Identity Theft Resource Center
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