Can Vacationers And Business Travelers Be At Greater Risk Of Identity Theft When They Travel?
Over seven million people in the United States last year alone were victims of identity theft resulting in almost fifty billion of fraudulent credit card, bank, and other financial charges. A significant number of these victims were tourists, business travelers, and people on their holidays. Here is some valuable information that may save you a ton of grief when you travel.
It’s very easy when people travel on their vacation to let their guard down. They have a lot on their minds remembering everything they need to take care of before they go and what they need to take with them on vacation. Not only that, they want to relax, unwind, and have fun. Isn’t that what vacations are suppose to be all about? When they travel they don’t want to have to be on guard all time and constantly concerned about getting ripped off every second of their holidays.
There are three major sources of identity theft that you should be aware of when you travel. Your wallet, your laptop or PDA, and internet cafes.
Research shows that most identity thefts occur when people’s wallets are stolen, usually by professional pick pockets. Whether you travel on vacation or business you must guard your wallet at all times because you are at more risk than in familiar surroundings. Never carry your wallet in your back pocket – it’s not called the “sucker pocket” for nothing. It’s best to carry your wallet in a fanny pack. Some travelers prefer a fanny pack with a Velcro closure instead of a zippered one because you can hear it being opened. The usual places you find pickpockets are in crowded areas such as airports, train and bus stations, hotel lobbies, restaurants, and sporting events.
