"5 TIPS To Avoid Being An Identity Theft Victim While On Vacation"
More than 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. When someone uses your personal information - your name, Social Security number or credit card number - without permission, they are stealing your identity.
How can you protect yourself while you're away? Here are five tips to avoid being a victim:
1. Stop your mail. If your mail is sitting at your curb, it can be easy for someone to go through, pick what they are looking for, and take off. Also, ask a trusted neighbor to watch for packages that may come from another course besides the Postal Service, and to hang on to them until your return.
2. Don't advertise that you're on vacation. Make sure if you are going to post vacation updates to social networking websites that your posts are secure - or better yet, don't post anything about it until after your return. Put a few lights on a timer system so that your home doesn't look unoccupied for the entire time you're gone.
3. Enroll in an identity protection product.
4. Keep your checkbook at home. A stolen checkbook has your bank account number and routing number on the checks - valuable tools a thief can use to steal your identity or clean out your bank account. Use cash or credit cards or purchase traveler's checks from your bank. Traveler's checks require a signature when you purchase them, and then another when you use them. Generally a photo ID is required when you use credit cards or traveler's checks.
5. Give your credit card company a heads up. This is especially important if you are traveling internationally, because any activity that happens domestically will raise a red flag. If you don't let them know, they may become concerned when they see overseas transactions and freeze your card.
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