Traveling This Summer? Keep Your Identity Safe With These Simple Tips!

The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are – Samuel Johnson

In just a few days, I’ll be in New York City, one of my favorite cities in the world. I’ve got a checklist started with everything I’ll need…comfortable shoes, stylish (and breezy) summer clothing, portable electronics, hotel and airline confirmations, and proper identification. Having traveled all over the world, I have some idea of the importance of protecting myself in various circumstances.  I have photocopied all important information, updated my emergency contact information, tagged my luggage, and avoided packing any valuables. I’ve frequented the city enough times to know what areas to avoid, particularly at night, which covers physical safety.  But there is a layer of safety I haven’t thought much about…my identity!

Protecting one’s identity isn’t something travelers always think about, but it’s a very real and growing threat.  So what can you do to protect yourself?  LifeLock offers the following tips to keep your identity safe as you travel this summer.

1. Be discreet about your travel plans. In an age where social media predominates, it’s wise to avoid updating your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media pages with your precise location.  When you announce that you aren’t home, thieves see this as an optimal opportunity to break into your unattended home.  As an additional measure of precaution, you might look into your settings to see what information (home address, phone number, etc.) is displayed and make changes accordingly.  Tip: Why not post photos once you return?

2.  Be smart about tagging your luggage. Rather than putting your home address on your luggage tag, list a mobile phone number.  If your bag is lost or stolen, thieves will know exactly where you live if you leave your address on the tag.

3.  Notify your credit card company of your travel plans.  This becomes particularly important if you decide to travel abroad.  Tip: Consider bringing one or two credit cards and leave the rest at home to reduce the risk of loss or theft.

4.  Be smart about using public Wi-Fi connections. Very often, these connections are not secure.  Avoid logging into accounts that require user names and passwords while connected to public Wi-Fi. Also ensure you have installed the latest anti-virus software and have a personal firewall program. Tip: It’s vacation, why not unplug and relax?

5.  Verify all online businesses before clicking on links.  If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.  Identity thieves can pose as trusted sources offering you rock-bottom deals on travel.  Be sure to verify all websites by opening a new web browser and typing in the address to confirm it’s authenticity.

How do you safeguard your home and your personal identity while you’re traveling? I’d love to hear your tips!

Disclosure: This is a compensated post in partnership with LifeLock. Some information and stats provided by LifeLock. All opinions remain solely that of the author. 

Photo: Rockin’ Mama

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Caryn Bailey

Caryn is a NICU nurse by day, blogger by night and mom 24/7. She savors the warm Southern California sun and loves to travel, shopping, baking, reading and frequenting her local tea room. Caryn created the column Lavishly Green for Peekaboo Picks Magazine to share her best tips for going green in style, she is the Former editor for Family Review Network, former OC Family Magazine online contributor, former Orange County Moms Blog contributor, former Evenflo Savvy Parent contributor, former member of the Totsy Advisory Board and former freelance writer for CBS Los Angeles.

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