Here are eight easy ways you can shop smart and help keep your identity safe this holiday season.
I got these highlights from Lifelock, a company that offers services to protect identity. I was signed up to this service when my identity was potentially compromised, due to perceived exposure of some sensitivity data.
In Stores
- Be aware of your surroundings and protect personal space at the ATM and registers.
- Inspect ATMs and points of sale terminals and look for tampering before swiping cards.
- Keep cards in sight when paying to deter dishonest cashiers.
- Store all receipts and closely check your monthly statements to verify transactions.
Online
- Be sure your anti-virus software is installed properly and up-to-date.
- Shop with retailers who you trust and who have a positive Better Business Bureau rating.
- Avoid links. Instead, visit shopping sites by directly typing in their website addresses.
- Don’t purchase items while using public computers or shared wireless networks.
I think this is going to become an even bigger problem in the near future. In the last 12 months i’ve had 4 sites hacked and a yahoo ad account broken into and $15,000 charged on my credit card. I’ve been much more careful when it comes to passwords. It’s really important to try and have a new password for each account.
Just wait until everyone’s data is stored in the cloud. Everyone’s info will be ripe for the taking.