Thanksgiving is the holiday that prepares us for Black Friday, as we stuff ourselves with endless amounts of food and take long overdue naps which help us prepared for that rush when stores open at midnight. But don’t rush too fast when swiping that credit card, as this time of year skyrockets with fraud and identity theft.
In 2012, fraud and identity theft accounted for 70 percent of total complaints, according to the Consumer Sentinel Network, an online database of consumer complaints. With more people shopping around the holidays, it’s the perfect time for thieves to take advantage of distractions.
Take extra precautions this holiday season to prevent your identity from becoming a victim of fraud.
1. Keep Your Eyes on Your Credit.
- Credit monitoring: If you want to monitor activity on your credit reports, you can enroll in a credit monitoring service. Credit monitoring checks for changes on your credit report daily. You’ll get an alert when something significant happens, like a new account opening in your name. If you weren’t the one who opened that account, you can act quickly to minimize the damage. There are both free and paid options for credit monitoring, depending on what kind of features you’re looking for.
- Fraud alerts: Placing a fraud alert on your credit report protects against unauthorized access. A fraud alert tells creditors to check with you before extending credit in your name. You can green light any applications you initiated, and put a stop to unauthorized applications for credit.
- Security freezes: By putting a security freeze on your credit reports, you’ll ensure that no one (not even you) can open a new credit account in your name. If you’re not planning on opening any credit accounts in the near future, this could be a smart move, particularly if you’ve been a victim of identity theft in the past; you’re more susceptible to future attacks. When you’re ready to apply for credit again, you can lift the freeze by contacting the credit bureau.
2. Shop on Secure Websites & In-Store.
Online: Cyber Monday is a great day to get online deals on holiday gifts, but make sure the sites you’re shopping on are secure. Before you check out online, check that the site is verified by TRUSTe or a similar trusted data management service. You can look for the TRUSTe privacy seal at the bottom of a secure webpage. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the URL begins with https://. These precautions ensure that only you and the online retailer have access to the data that’s transferred across the connection.
Avoid shopping or browsing your online banking and credit card accounts on a public Wi-Fi connection. It’s impossible to tell who has access to any data you transfer over an unsecure connection, so better to be safe than sorry.
In store: If you’re out and about in the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, make sure to keep a close watch on your personal items. Don’t lose track of your wallet because you were sidetracked by a good deal.
When making purchases, consider using your credit card over debit or cash. Credit cards have simpler processes for disputing fraudulent charges and limit your liability. As an added bonus, many credit card issuers offer extended warranties and purchase protection, both of which can come in handy during the holidays.
3. Verify All Transactions.
Once you’re home from shopping and on your secure, private Internet connection, log on to your credit card accounts to review your transactions. Make sure everything is as expected and there aren’t any suspicious charges. You can also use websites such as Credit Karma, Mint or Manilla to track your transactions from multiple accounts all in one place.
If you see a credit card transaction that isn’t yours, contact your card issuer immediately – most cards allow you to put a hold or freeze on the account to prevent further charges while you investigate what happened.
4. Sign Up for Credit Reports.
Finally, one of the best ways to make sure your credit is unharmed is just to be aware of what’s on it. You have a right to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus once during a 12-month period. Starting with the New Year, check one report (or all three, if it’s your first time). Then, spread the other two reports over the remainder of the year so that you get a free report once every four months.
The bottom line: Your credit is important and can make or break your financial future. Even if you don’t plan on applying for a mortgage or a credit card any time soon, your credit is worth protecting.
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Original article courtesy of USNews Money
