Travelore Tips: How To Protect Your Identity When Traveling

New survey from Experian's ProtectMyID^® reveals identity theft hotspots, common risks and how vacationers can thwart identity thieves

 

The summer travel season is here with high expectations for fun and lasting memories, but vacations can turn into nightmares as travelers try to unravel the damages of identity theft. A new survey conducted by Edelman Berland for Experian’s ProtectMyID^® reveals that 30 percent of travelers have experienced identity theft while traveling or know someone who has. Results show that recovery takes time — more than a week in some instances.

“The last thing people want is for their trip to fund an identity thief’s vacation,” said Becky Frost, senior manager of consumer education for Experian’s ProtectMyID. “Identity theft can derail vacations quickly, but taking some precautions before and during travel can help consumers protect themselves.”

Traveling troubled waters

Nearly one in five travelers reports having sensitive information lost or stolen, and 30 percent said they experienced identity theft while traveling or know someone who has. Those affected by identity theft report the fraud impacted their travel experience. Three in 10 victims say that it took more than a week to resolve the issues caused by identity theft.

Flying by the seat of their pants

Most travelers check for signs of identity fraud after traveling but fail to take proactive precautions before and during their trips.

·         Only 39 percent of travelers alert their debit/credit card providers before departing, and only 33 percent notify their bank

·         Just one in three travelers use passwords to protect their smartphones

·         Thirty-five percent of travelers use hotel safes to store sensitive information

·         More than a quarter (27 percent) of people bring their Social Security card with them while traveling

·         Twenty percent of vacationers say they do not feel vulnerable to identity theft while traveling

·         Ninety-two percent carry credit cards or debit cards while traveling, yet more than half (52 percent) are unaware of their card’s liability limit if lost or stolen

·         Women and seniors (adults ages 65 or older) are most likely to take precautions to protect their identities before, during and after traveling

Identity theft hotspots

Consumers have misconceptions about where identity theft occurs.

·         Among those who have been victimized personally while traveling, 10 percent do not know where their identity was stolen

·         Travelers indicated that they feel most vulnerable to identity theft in restaurants (19 percent), Internet cafés (15 percent), hotels (14 percent) and airports (14 percent)

·         Actual numbers show that the highest vulnerabilities occur in hotels (24 percent), restaurants (18 percent), airports (12 percent), taxis (8 percent) and car rental offices (8 percent)

Safe harbor

Taking these steps can help reduce the risk of identity theft while traveling:

·         Password-protect smartphones and other electronic devices.

·         Create strong passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols on sensitive accounts accessible through electronic devices.

·         Avoid public Wi-Fi when possible; create your own Wi-Fi with a portable router and SIM card.

·         Delay social media posts that indicate you’re out of town; wait until you’re back from your trip to share your travel adventures.

·         Choose to pay with a credit card versus debit card; credit cards often offer better fraud protection.

·         Bank at the branch; ATMs in high-traffic tourist areas may put you at risk for skimming

·         Alert your bank of your travel plans to avoid account holds and hassles

·         Avoid traveling with unnecessary documents, such as Social Security cards or unneeded credit cards.

·         Disable geotagging on all cameras.

·         Keep a close eye on accounts; review financial accounts during your trip and when you get home, including bank and credit card statements. You should also keep an eye on your credit report upon your return. Signs of fraud and identity theft often first show up on your credit report and financial statements.

·         Have a partner in the fight against identity theft; enroll in identity monitoring and take action if you receive alerts that your identity could be compromised.

To learn more about the survey, please visit http://bit.ly/ProtectMyIDTravelReport. An infographic featuring digital travel tips is available at http://bit.ly/TravelInfographic.

About the survey

This survey was conducted online by Edelman Berland on behalf of Experian from June 2, 2014, through June 5, 2014, among 1,000 adults ages 18 years and older residing throughout the United States. The national study focused on issues related to identity theft and identity protection while traveling. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percent.

About Experian’s ProtectMyID

ProtectMyID is a leading, full-service provider of identity theft detection, protection and resolution. ProtectMyID offers comprehensive identity theft protection features supported by experienced identity theft resolution professionals who deliver personal attention that customers can rely on. ProtectMyID.com^® is a Website owned by ConsumerInfo.com, Inc., an Experian company. For more information about how ProtectMyID helps consumers protect themselves against identity theft, please visit http://www.protectmyid.com.

This press release is provided for general guidance and information. It is not intended as, nor should it be construed to be legal, financial or other professional advice. Please consult with your attorney or financial advisor to discuss any legal issues or financial issues involved with credit decisions.

Travelore Tips How to Protect Your Phone (And Identity) While Traveling

© RooM the Agency / Alamy

Selfies two weeks in a row: This time, a reader who lost his phone on a plane, only to discover an airline employee with a penchant for self-directed camera testing.

Q: I was on an AeroMexico flight from Lima, Peru to Mexico City. I don't know whether my phone was stolen or if I accidentally left it on my seat, but as soon as I was aware it was missing, I went to the AeroMexico desk and alerted them to the problem. They searched the plane, but didn’t find it.

I have evidence it was found! My phone automatically uploads to the cloud. I’m attaching pictures of what appears to be an AeroMexico employee finding the phone and taking several other selfies. I have called and emailed AeroMexico numerous times without getting anywhere. I don’t want to cause any trouble. I only want my phone back. Can you help? *—Daniel P., Scottsdale, AZ*

A: That’s one way to locate a lost phone. At first blush, it puts a positive spin on the notion of personal tracking and surveillance. If we step back, however, perhaps it was a little too easy for the gentleman who found the phone to start using it for his own purposes. Also, it must have been a bit unsettling for Daniel to see a stranger in photos on his cloud account.

So what can you do to protect your phone while traveling? Here are a few suggestions from Verizon Wireless, many of which apply even when you’re at home:

• First, use a screen lock, especially if you set up your email and social networks to save your passwords. It might seem annoying to go through an extra step to use your phone, but a good password may help deter a thief and protect your personal information in the process. Be sure to avoid codes that are easy to guess (hint: “1234” is not secure). Or better yet, use your face: with Android’s “Ice Cream Sandwich,” you can unlock your phone using the built-in facial recognition software. iOS has different security measures depending on the device, which can include Touch ID (fingerprint) or the traditional pass code.

• Don’t break down built-in security. The full-customization options on your phone can be awfully tempting, but McAfee says when you circumvent security restrictions, you may make your phone vulnerable to worms, viruses, spyware, and Trojans that could wreak havoc on your phone’s operating system.

• Install a mobile security app and back up your data.

• Don’t click on suspicious links in spam emails, and don’t trust every app available for download.Check the reviews before you download to be sure others haven’t reported problems. Some may ask for permission to obtain personal information and stored passwords. Make sure you fully research the app before approving these requests. McAfee has found that 82% of apps read your device ID and 36% of apps know personal details such as your account information.

• It’s highly recommended you keep your phone updated with the latest operating system available, as it will have the most recent security features.

• Many phones allow you to put your owner info on the lock screen, so if you do lose your phone, it can be returned easily—make sure it’s something that won’t give thieves information you don’t want them to have; your name and a backup email and/or work phone number should be enough. If you can’t locate the feature on your device, there are apps that provide this functionality; search for “owner information on lock screen” and find one that works for you.

• If you do lose your phone while on vacation, contact your provider to have service suspended and discuss replacement options. When traveling outside the U.S., check with your provider beforehand to make sure you have the necessary international contact information.

• Verizon recommended its protection plan as well. Most companies offer one. There is also independent phone insurance. Read the fine print to make sure you’ll get the protection and service you want. Sometimes the deductible is high enough that the cost of the plan doesn't make sense, unless you want other bundled features such as additional tech support. GPS location services and the ability to wipe your phone remotely may be included, although there are apps that offer the same functionality.

While cloud storage services are a good way to share data across platforms and back it up, they probably aren't the best way to protect or recover your phone. In this case, Daniel got lucky and the photos worked. By the time I replied to his email a week after we received it, AeroMexico had responded. It recovered his phone and sent it to him. The fate of the employee is unknown, but let’s hope the next time he finds a phone it won’t be so easy for him to snap his own visage and inadvertently share it with the owner.

Contributed

 by Eric Jordan

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