Spring Break Tips to Protect Your Identity

Coming soon: Spring Break!

For many, it’s the first vacation of the year and we’re giddy with anticipation, whether “we” are grade schoolers or grad students. Or beyond. Much, much beyond. The excitement of getting away can make you do funny things, like forget important stuff, so we are here to help with this handy little list of Important Things to Not Forget During Spring Break!

1. Take sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or higher and UVA and UVB protection.
2. Drink some water, also.  (You know who we’re talkin’ to.)
3. Dress sensibly.  (Your parents asked us to include that one.)
4. Don’t forget your ID, Passport, etc.
5. Protect Your Identity.

Okay, that last one is not typically what you’re thinking about during spring break, but it is really, REALLY important. The rest are (usually) minor things but identity theft can mess things up for a while, and mess them up pretty badly. It’s especially important on vacation because thieves – including identity thieves – know you’re out there to have a good time and your guard is down. They also know that you are likely far from home and might have a lot of sensitive personal information with you.

Seriously, you can buy this sweet t at zazzle.com…but we digress…

Once again, however, your friends with the giant coffee cups (that’s us) are here to help with the

Top Ten Simple and Sensible Steps to Keep Your Identity Secure

Ready? Buckle up because here we go!

#1: Spread the Love Around – You MUST wear a bum bag. Kidding! But don’t carry around one big bag with all of your important documents, credit cards, cash, etcetera in it. Split things up and carry cash, cards and sensitive info in different places – wallet or purse, bag, carry-on or a money belt. But…

#2: Check Your Bags, Don’t Bag Your Checks – Don’t keep cash, cards or personal information in your checked baggage. Once it’s checked in, it is out of your sight and out of your control. Keep your travel and other important documents with you.

#3: Pack Light – This applies to personal information, too. Unless you’re purchasing real estate, you probably do not need to travel with every piece of personal information you own. If it’s not a necessity for this trip, leave it in a safe place at home.

#4: Don’t Lose That Number – Always protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your card with you (see #3 just above) and don’t give out your number. If someone needs it, they’ll ask and you should ask why they need it.

#5: Hide & Go Seek – Never leave personal information, credit cards, checks or travel documents unattended in your hotel room. If there is not a safe in your room, ask at the front desk if you can leave items – in a sealed envelope – in their safe. I tend to be pretty trusting, but have heard of room safes being burgled, so use your camera or smartphone to take a picture of the contents in the safe in case you need to make a claim.

Watching for people watching you is not paranoia, it’s being safe.

#6: Somebody’s Watching You – It’s easy to be distracted on vacation and there are plenty of things competing for your attention, but you really do need to be aware of your surroundings. Whenever you need to enter your PIN, at an ATM for instance, watch for people paying a little too much attention, and always cover your hand when typing in codes. If you’re with someone, ask them to keep an eye out, too. And it’s not paranoid to think that guy watched you put your credit card in your left back pocket…so move it around when you’re sure nobody’s watching. (And now that song is stuck in your head! You’re welcome.)

#7: Make Some Copies – Before you leave, scan or photocopy (front and back) your driver’s license, passport, credit cards and important documents. Keep one copy with you or email a copy to yourself, and give one copy to someone you trust at home or to your trusted travel partner. If they’re lost or stolen, you’ll have copies of the info you need including who to call to cancel cards and report lost documents.

#8: Go On Lockdown – If you’re traveling with a smartphone or tablet, set up a lock code and use your device’s encryption and security settings. Don’t use automatic log-in features that save your username and password. On your laptop, always log-off when you’re finished so, if it is stolen, it will be harder to get to your information. You should also delete your web history, even on your own devices, for added security.

#9: Be Wi-Fi Wise – Most public hotspots are not protected so don’t use them to send personal information from your laptop, tablet or smartphone without verifying that you are on a secure, encrypted web site (https://). But remember, that encryption only protects data sent/received on that website; your devices may themselves be vulnerable to attack, which leads to…

#10: Is That Really Necessary? – It’s easy to think your laptop and other devices can keep your info secure, but they can be easy prey for Identity Thieves so keep only necessary financial information on your devices, and only when necessary.

Spring break is awesome and, with a little caution, you can be sure you don’t undo all the rest and relaxation dealing with identity theft. Now get out there and recreate. And put on some sunscreen!