2005 Year in Review

Identity Theft: Don’t Become a Victim this Holiday Shopping

Source: Lois E. Smith, Extension Educator, Consumer and Family Economics

A crowded mall is just the kind of place an identity thief likes. Shoppers are rushing from store to store, buying holiday gifts. Thieves are just waiting for the woman who leaves her purse unattended and for the man who carries his wallet in an easy-to-pick pocket.

"While you can't completely prevent identity theft, you can minimize your risk," says Lois Smith, consumer and family economics educator with University of Illinois Extension. "Before you head out for a day of shopping, go through your purse or wallet and take out any personal or financial cards that you won't need. For example, don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Take it with you only when you know you will need it."

The goal is to minimize the amount of personal identification information and the number of credit cards you carry with you.

When making a purchase with a credit card or bank card, be wary of anyone near you with a camera phone who might be attempting to photograph your card. After the purchase is complete, make sure you put your card and the receipt in a secure place.

Smith suggests these additional practices:
- Reconcile your bank statements against your canceled checks and debit receipts each month. If there are any irregularities, immediately contact your bank.
- Keep all credit card receipts in a safe place until your monthly statement arrives. Then, cross-check your statement against the receipts. Report any unusual activity to the credit company.
- Pay attention to all your billing cycles. If you do not receive one of your expected bills on time, call your creditor to inquire.
- Keep a list of your credit cards and bank accounts or photocopy fronts and backs of all these items. Write down expiration dates and telephone numbers of customer service and fraud departments. Store the originals and the copies in two separate secure, moisture-free places. If you need any of these items, carry them in your wallet or purse in a safe or guarded place on you.
- Guard your financial account numbers. Only provide your bank and store credit card numbers and expiration date, debit card, or bank account number when you are paying for a store purchase, initiating an Internet, phone or fax purchase, or when you are applying for credit. It isn't necessary to give that type of information for any other reason.
- Do not give out personal information like credit card numbers and expiration dates or checking account numbers on the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or you know whom you are dealing with.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 13, 2005