Everybody looks forward to a good vacation. Sun, sea and slothful days - it's a well-deserved respite from the grind of daily life. But the risk of ID theft can increase.
Holiday–makers will typically take some of the most important documentation in their lives away with them – passport, driving license, wallet, credit cards. In short, an identity thief's dream come true.
That's not to say that those on vacation should enter into their break paranoid that something will go wrong. By following a few simple rules, all holiday–makers can keep themelves safer:
Locking the Door is Not Enough
- Remember that a lot of people potentially have access to a hotel room. As well as maids and cleaners, there are plenty of other staff who could have access to the room.
- When renting an apartment or villa, remember that other people may have keys to get in too.
- Err on the side of caution and don't trust anyone.
- Never keep any valuables laying around – it may only tempt dishonest people who are legitimately in a hotel room to delve further into personal belongings.
- Always use the safe in a hotel room and make sure it is closed it properly. If the room doesn't have one, there should be a hotel safe available for use – ask at reception.
- Remember that even if just one document gets into the wrong hands, it can result in an identity being stolen.
ATM Machine and Other Credit Card Scams
- ATM scams are well-known across the world, but fake ATM machines have been known to appear in tourist hotspots.
- Scams include card cloning or 'skimming', where devices have been inserted into ATM machines to record a card's data.
- Alternatively, the ATM may appear to swallow a card. In fact, fraudsters may have set a trap so they can retrieve the card from the machine later. They will often have seen their victim enter their PIN number, either via a hidden camera or by standing behind them at the ATM 'shoulder surfing'.
- Once the scammers have either the card details and/or the card itself, not only can they empty the bank account of funds, but they can also run up other debts in their victim's name.
- Always use ATMs in trustworthy locations, e.g. banks.
- Never let a credit card out of sight, e.g. when paying a bill in a restaurant. Insist on going with the waiter if they need to complete the transaction away from the table.
- Use credit cards abroad rather than debit cards – they are protected by federal laws and often don't pass on any liability to customers if they become a victim of ID fraud.
Beware of Pickpockets
- Pickpockets are found in all major cities and 33% of all stolen personal data, which leads to identity theft, originates from stolen wallets (Javelin Strategy Report 2009).
- Empty wallets or purses of anything not needed before traveling, particularly extra credit cards and cards with photo IDs on.
- When out and about on vacation, keep wallets and purses safe at all times. Never carry it in a back pocket and beware of criminals who work in groups to try to distract their victims while they make a grab for a wallet or purse.
- Invisible money belts are the safest mode of carrying cards and money as they are worn around the stomach and underneath clothing. Be discreet when taking something out of a money belt and don't constantly feel for it through clothing – it will only alert professional pickpockets to its presence.
Remember Home While on Holiday
- Be prudent and take precautions over an empty home while on vacation.
- Cancel newspaper deliveries and make arrangements for mail while away. Post Offices in some countries have a 'keep-safe' service, so the Post Office will keep mail in a householder's absence. Preventing mail from sitting on a doormat or in a mailbox will help give the illusion that the house is being lived–in and will cause less temptation for would–be thieves to steal mail or break into a home to steal documents that could aid identity cloning.
- Beware when asking neighbors, friends or relatives to help to keep an eye on a house – 17% of identity thefts are by people the victim knows (Javelin Strategy Report 2009).
Don't Let Fear of ID Fraud Ruin a Holiday
Most importantly, don't be scared off by the potential threats abroad. In fact, it's more than likely most people already follow these guidelines as part of a home routine. Keeping documents filed away, being aware of surroundings when out and keeping homes safe are part of everyday life. Most thieves are looking for easy targets, so by making it even a little bit harder for them, it will seem too much like hard work and they'll move on.
The copyright of the article Don't be a Victim of Identity Theft Abroad in Crime is owned by Sasha Arms. Permission to republish Don't be a Victim of Identity Theft Abroad in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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