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Our shopping habits put
us at greater risk for identity theft during the holidays. We’re doing
more shopping online, using our debit cards more frequently, and even
applying for new lines of credit to snap up special offers. This all
leads to one thing: greater exposure to identity thieves.
Not to mention, we’re busy — and distracted. “It’s easy during the
holidays to get sidetracked because you are rushing around trying to
keep up with work, school, kids, parties, gifts, and the whole holiday
hustle and bustle,” says Alexis Moore, author of Cyber Self-Defense and founder of the nonprofit Survivors In Action.
“And predators are hoping you do get sidetracked. That opens the door
for them to steal your identity with the click of a mouse.”The threat of identity theft is real, but you don’t have to fall into a frenzy. It just takes awareness to stay safe. Here are six tips to avoid becoming a victim.
Avoid Using Debit Cards
If you’re paying with plastic, try sticking to credit. “A variety of debit-fraud schemes have been exposed lately and I’ve just never believed that using a payment function directly linked to your bank account balance was a good idea,” says Ike Devji, an asset protection attorney in Phoenix.
“Using credit cards, even if you
pay them off in full at the end of the month, reduces your exposure
significantly and provides an opportunity to dispute charges that are
not yours; get purchase protection for loss, theft, or damage with some
cards; and even have recourse against dishonest retailers with shoddy or
undelivered products,” Devji says. Putting that one step between your
checking account and identity thieves can make all the difference.
If you don’t like credit cards,
consider using a prepaid debit card that won’t provide potential thieves
with your personal information or access to your bank account.
Culled from Daily Worth
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