Beware of public computers
The days of the Internet cafe are
waning, as Wi-Fi-enabled tablets and ultra-light laptops have become the norm
for many tourists. But if you're not packing a lot of technology on your
travels, or your computer dies on the road, or you just need to print a
boarding pass in the hotel lobby, remember that public computers are hotbeds
for identity theft. Never autosave information on forms, especially if you're
typing in your passport or credit card number. Select "no" if you are
asked to save any passwords. Delete your search history afterward. If possible,
use the Google Chrome browser and open your windows in "incognito
mode" (Ctrl + Shift + N, or click on the menu bar in the upper right-hand
corner). Your search history, passwords, and cookies will automatically not be
saved. Finally, avoid checking bank-account balances on public computers, if
you can. Use your bank's smartphone app (most major banks have one), or simply
limit your balance check-ins to secure ATMs.
Use
secure wireless networks
Wireless Internet makes life on the
road convenient, but it can also make your private info vulnerable. The free
Wi-Fi networks at cafes, in hotel lobbies, and in other public places are
notoriously not secure because they often lack data-encryption protections that
closed networks have. All it takes for someone to do damage is an elementary
knowledge of computer systems and a simple plug-in like Firesheep, which allows
a user to spy on others' browser activities.
Whenever possible, stick to more
secure WEP, WPA, and WPA2 networks, which require a password to log on. If you
must use an open (non-password-protected) network, immediately log out of
banking, social media, and email accounts when finished with each session. To
prevent your data packets from being plucked from midair, use only encrypted
websites (such as those with "https" in the address) when on free
Wi-Fi networks. If you see a warning that a site you are entering is not
secured, is risky, or contains malware, don't proceed.
Also, don't forget about your
phone. When traveling, turn off your smartphone's settings that allow the
device to automatically connect to nearby Wi-Fi hot spots.
Lock
your smartphone
Most of us store an alarming amount
of data on our smartphones: emails and text messages with personal information;
photos of our family, homes, and cars; and important travel information, such
as boarding passes or itineraries. While it's nice to have a digital backup of
everything important, leaving this information unprotected is like rolling out
a welcome mat for hackers and identity thieves. Be smart and protect your phone
with a home-screen-locking password. Depending on your phone model, this may be
a numerical code, a unique swiping pattern, or a fingerprint scan. Avoid
obvious numerical codes such as "1111" or your birth year, and
remember to change your PIN frequently; it's not that difficult for someone
looking over your shoulder to guess what you're typing.
Don't
give out your phone number
You will likely need to provide a
home or mobile phone number for your airline and hotel reservations, but beyond
that, avoid giving out your phone number while on the road. Having your digits
gives an identity thief instant access to you via spammy calls; often they'll
be able to look up your home address and personal information as well. A
popular scam involves the caller claiming to be a representative from your bank
and requesting your credit card number, so if you ever receive a phone call
from someone asking to verify your credit card or bank-account number, hang up
immediately. Then call your bank. Another scam that often hits hotel guests is
a call reportedly from the front desk, requesting a new credit card number to
secure the reservation. Never give that information out over the phone;
instead, hang up and visit the front desk in person.
Use
cash whenever possible
In terms of secure payment, cash is
still king. If stolen, it can't be replaced (unlike a credit card), but it
won't put you at risk of identity theft. When traveling, always keep a
combination of cash and cards on hand. Use credit cards at airports, major
chains, and shops that clearly use secure payment systems. Use cash whenever
there is the slightest doubt about the security of a seller's methods (for
instance, if they want to take the card to a mysterious "back room"
for payment). Avoid using your debit card whenever possible; while U.S. law
requires protection against unauthorized debit card purchases, those
protections may not be as instantaneous or as broad as those offered by your
credit card company. You may also be hit with immediate overdraft fees that
could drain your savings account before you even know you are a victim.
Use
ATMs carefully
If the only theft you associate with
ATMs is the astronomical "convenience" fees some charge, think again.
As this video from The Today Show and security expert Jim Stickley
demonstrates, ATMs can be fake. Disturbingly, ATM kiosks are available for
purchase online. All it takes is a bit of capital and some clever hacking, and
voila, that seemingly safe street-corner ATM has now stored your credit card
information. (This exact situation happened in Brazil last year, in fact.)
So be very wary of ATMs on the
road. Carry as much cash as you feel comfortable having and store it in
different locations on your person and in your luggage. If you do need to use
an ATM, stick to bank branches during normal banking hours, or, better yet, use
cash-back options at convenience stores, pharmacies, and shops. Take your
travel partner to the ATM with you and have him or her stand behind you to
block other people's views of your screen or hidden cameras pointed toward you.
Tear up ATM receipts immediately.
If you want to be absolutely secure
on the road, you can purchase a prepaid Visa card that allows you to withdraw
money from ATMs with a temporary PIN. Simply destroy the card when your travels
are over.
Check
your credit card statements
Jewelry, passport, luggage,
cash—you know you need to protect these items while traveling. Add your credit
history to that list. All it takes to ruin your credit is someone running up
your credit card balance or opening unauthorized accounts in your name. The
easiest way to nip any credit-score disasters in the bud is by monitoring your
credit card statements and credit score like a hawk before, during, and after
your travels.
Federal law requires the three
major credit-reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to provide
you with a free credit report every 12 months. Retrieve yours through
AnnualCreditReport.com. Other providers, such as FreeCreditReport.com or
CreditKarma.com, offer a monthly credit statement for a small fee; if you're
traveling internationally or if you've been a victim of identity theft before,
signing up for monthly notifications may be a small price to pay for peace of
mind (and squeaky-clean credit). Otherwise, the free yearly report should serve
you just fine.
Clean
out your wallet, pockets and purse
You may be the master of web
security, but identity theft can still happen the old-fashioned way: by sticky
fingers. Imagine the following scenario: You leave your wallet on your beach
towel to go for a quick swim, smug with the knowledge that there's no cash for
would-be thieves to take. Yet you've left a doctor's prescription, your
business card, and your expired driver's license behind. Any of these documents
could do surprising damage to your credit (and your livelihood) if exploited.
The thief or impersonator would know which medications you're on (and perhaps
your health insurance information), your work address, your phone number, and
your job title. It's a good idea to always clean out your wallet or purse
before travel. Discard old memos, appointment reminders, expired IDs, and even
to-do lists. Shred any confidential documents such as bank statements or pieces
of mail that contain your address. Not only will you travel lighter, but you'll
minimize the risk of someone scavenging for sensitive information.
Lock up
valuable documents
Hotel safes aren't perfect (yes,
even they can be hacked), but they're much more secure than simply tossing
every ID card and travel document into your purse or wallet. When you arrive at
your hotel, lock up any unnecessary valuables such as passports, jewelry, and
gadgets. This includes boarding documents and travel confirmation emails (or go
paper-free by using a service like TripIt that stores reservations,
confirmation numbers, and itineraries).
Stop
your mail
Thieves don't steal mail because
they like to browse your Victoria's Secret catalogs. They do it because of all
the juicy personal information it contains: bank-account and Social Security
numbers, even health information. Before you depart, place a hold on your
postal delivery or, better yet, ask a close neighbor to collect the piles of
bills, cards, and letters each day. Shred all personal mail, even credit card
offers in which you're not interested. Go paperless with as many accounts as
you can; not only does it cut down on waste, it makes your personal data more
secure. And if you'll be away for an exceptionally long period—say, several
months or more—consider renting a P.O. box at your local post office and
placing a forward on your mail.
Use
smart identification
While abroad, don't use your
passport as your primary identification. If it is stolen, you could find
yourself in a world of trouble. Not only will you be ID-less and unable to
board a flight, you'll also be at risk of identity theft. Stolen passports are
often sold on the black market to criminals who use them to open new bank
accounts, get jobs, or participate in human trafficking. Although the local
embassy can help you secure a new passport fairly quickly, you'll want to avoid
putting yourself at risk in the first place. Lock up your passport and use a
driver's license or an international ID for nightclubs, bars, and other places
of admission.
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