I’ve decided to do most of my Christmas shopping from home this year, using only well-known sites to make sure I don’t become an ID theft or credit card fraud victim. The only thing that will get me to the mall or the big box stores is the Black Friday bargains. Other than that, I’m doing the rest of my shopping over the Internet from the comfort of my home office. Unfortunately, while this strategy will get me the best bargains, it also presents ID theft risks.
To get the best deals, shoppers have to get in line for a coupon at 3 A.M., and then wait till 5 A.M. to rush the doors with hundreds of other shoppers. Once they have their loot in their carts, they’ll wait in line again to check out. It’s the perfect opportunity for pickpockets who take advantage of the mayhem to steal wallets for credit card fraud and ID theft.
Every year pickpockets work their way through the crowds searching for unzipped purses or those slung over the backs of chairs in the food court. In the crush of shoppers, it’s easy for pickpockets to melt into the throng, and work their way through the mall harvesting one set of identification after another. Once they have it, they can max out existing credit card accounts and commit ID theft to open new ones within minutes.
These tips can protect you from ID theft during the holiday season:
- Don’t take your purse. Instead slip a mall wallet into your front pocket. You only need to carry your driver’s license and a bankcard or credit card.
- If you plan to use checks for your purchases, leave your checkbook at home and carry only one or two checks with you.
- If you’re determined to carry a purse, carry it diagonally across your body and hanging in front. Never drape it over the back of your chair. Instead, sit with it in your lap or hanging from your knee.
- Men should empty as much as possible from their wallets and carry them in a front pocket.
Nothing could ruin your holiday season faster than ID theft; imagine the shock of reaching the cash register only to reach into your purse and find your wallet missing.
Tags: ID theft, identity theft prevention, identity theft protection, pickpocketing, pickpockets
