Guard Your Identity While Traveling
How many of us travel these days with our laptops, tablets and smart phones? It’s hard for us to leave home without taking our internet with us. We’ve all become used to being connected.
Unfortunately, traveling and using public wi-fi can put you at a higher risk for identity theft. Sometimes just simply by losing our electronics at airports. Other times it happens by getting hacked through the unsecured wi-fi networks you connect to while away from home.
Before leaving home, be sure you have the latest update for anti-virus software. Typing in passwords or credit card numbers on an unsecured wireless network is a bad idea because hackers lurk in busy places like spiders in a web just waiting for their next meal.
Do you use a bluetooth device on your smartphone? Turn the connection off on your phone when not using it because thieves can sync up with your phone and steal files. Many times the bluetooth connection is turned to “ON” by default even if you’ve never used it.
Clear your wallet of all those extra credit cards – just carry two with you. Definitely leave your debit card at home. It doesn’t have the protection that a credit card has. Also, leave your social security card at home. There’s no reason for you to ever carry it with you.
When traveling out of the country, protect your passport with some type of carrier that can block RFID technology. As crazy as it sounds, just a layer of aluminum foil will do the trick although you can purchase fancier ones, too! The new US passport cards come in a sleeve that has this protection built in.
Having a membership with LifeLock before you travel can give you some peace of mind if someone does steal your identity. Their WalletLock feature can save you time and stress if you lose your wallet or bag while away from home. You can get a discount on your membership by using a LifeLock promotion code.
