Whether holidaying abroad or in the UK, you need to be vigilant. Fraudsters can steal your identity if they get hold of details such as your full name, address, date of birth, phone number and credit card or bank account numbers – all details they could attain simply by taking your wallet. They could then open bank accounts, obtain credit cards or loans, order goods in your name, take out mobile phone contracts or even obtain genuine documents in your name, such as passports and driving licences.
When travelling, you also need to take extra care when using credit cards and ATMs. One technique thieves use to steal identities at ATMs is called skimming. This could involve them attaching a device that scans the magnetic strip of the card, or using a hidden camera to record your PIN, which then allows them to access your account while pretending to be you. We recommend you inspect ATMs before using them, and those located inside banks are less likely to be tampered with. If anything seems wrong, speak to the bank to check before using it.
PrivacyGuard suggests doing the following to help protect your identity while on holiday
• Keep personal possessions out of sight, always secure bags and make use of concealed money belts
• Store passports and other personal documents in hotel safes
• Take care when using ATMs and always shield the keys with your hand when entering your PIN
• Don’t write down passwords or PIN numbers
• Make sure you have your bank’s contact details on hand in case you need to cancel your card
• Password protect your smartphone
• Make sure you log out of any sites you visit on a public computer and take care not to tick boxes to keep you logged in
• Check your statements once you’re home and report anything suspicious to your bank or financial service provider
If you’re a victim of Identity fraud, PrivacyGuard can help you react quickly and efficiently, reducing the time, money and paperwork it normally takes to reinstate your identity. Privacyguard membership also offers both online access to your credit report as well as an alerts service, helping protect you from fraud and identity theft attempts.