5 Tips to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft During the Holidays

Review Financial Statements. In general, reviewing your financial statements is a good practice to have. However, during the holidays it is even more so! Reviewing your statements gives you the ability to monitor any unauthorized transactions or suspicious activity. 

Check ATMs, Point-of-Sale Terminals: - Before you place your card into an ATM card reader, inspect the reader, shake the device and ensure there is no device attached to it. Scammers will place skimming devices on ATMs and Point-of-Sale Terminals. This is a device that looks similar to the ATM that captures one’s credit card information and PIN. Scammers can use this information to create other accounts and to steal from that specific account as well. 

Public Wi-Fi Shopping - In the past Public Wi-fi could have been a major risk to use as users. However, today, most websites now use encryption. However, to ensure this, you want to check for the lock symbol so that the website contains “https” in the website address. This can be done on a computer, laptop and or mobile device. 

Online Shopping Scams - We know that year after year, online shopping becomes easier and is a major convenience.  However, hackers know this too! There will be an increase in text, call, and email scams, most likely claiming to be a store you may have used. Verify, verify, verify! Be sure to verify the phone number and email addresses that these messages are coming from.

Avoid Online Marketplaces: Facebook marketplace and others can be a great place to find great deals. However, if paying cash with someone you do not know, you do not have the protections for your purchase as you would if you were to shop at a retail store.

This post is for information only. See your financial advisor, bank representative, attorney, or contact your credit card company for ways to protect your assets given your situation. I am not responsible for any negative financial or other impacts derived from any included or excluded information.

Paulo G. Salgueiro, Jr. M.S.C.J. holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with certificates in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination as well as Mental Illness, Crime, and Justice. Salgueiro also wrote/co-produced a documentary, “Frederick’s Story” where he interviewed an incarcerated individual at the Bristol County House of Correction.