With summer travel season approaching, many of us are eagerly looking forward to our upcoming vacations. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or revisiting favorite spots, summer getaways offer a perfect escape.
However, as we venture out, it’s crucial to remember that travel can open up opportunities for fraudsters to compromise our personal information in ways we might not face when we’re at home. When you’re on vacation, you’re often in unfamiliar places and situations, which can make you an easy target for scammers. Additionally, people tend to let their guard down while on vacation, focusing more on relaxation and less on cybersecurity, increasing the chances of becoming a victim of identity theft.
Keeping Your Identity Safe This Summer: Because Your Identity Deserves a Vacation Too!
By adding these simple yet effective practices to your travel routine, you can focus on making great memories without worrying about potential fraud. Let’s dive in and make your summer travels not just fun, but also safe!
Watch out for travel booking scams
Booking travel online is convenient but can be risky. Scammers often create fake or misleading travel booking websites to steal your money and personal information. These fraudulent sites may look legitimate, offering enticing deals and discounts that are hard to resist. However, once you enter your payment details, you could be at risk of losing your money and compromising your personal information. Always verify websites before booking by looking for the padlock icon and “https://” in the address bar, checking that contact information includes a physical address and working phone number, and confirming the site appears in search results outside of ads.
Beware of “juice jacking” at public charging stations
When your phone battery is running low in an airport or café, those convenient public USB charging stations can seem like a lifesaver. However, they pose a security risk through a technique called “juice jacking.” Unlike standard electrical outlets, USB ports can transfer data as well as power, allowing criminals to install malware on your device or steal your information while you charge. Instead, bring your own charger and use standard electrical outlets, invest in a portable power bank, or use a “USB data blocker” device that prevents data transfer while allowing charging.
Use secure payment methods
Vacation spending often increases payment fraud risks through card skimming and unauthorized charges. Protect yourself by using credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection and using contactless payments like Apple Pay whenever possible. And if you need cash, choose ATMs at reputable banks rather than standalone machines, look for tampering before inserting your card, shield your PIN entry, and withdraw larger amounts less frequently in well-lit, populated areas.
Protect your loyalty program accounts
Your travel rewards accounts are prime targets for cybercriminals, with airline miles and hotel points representing significant value that can be stolen and sold on the dark web. To protect your frequent flier points and other travel rewards, use strong, unique passwords for each loyalty program account, enable multi-factor authentication whenever available, and keep your boarding pass private (it often contains information that can be used to access your account).
Avoid public Wi-Fi and disable auto-connect
Public networks at hotels, airports, and cafés can be hunting grounds for identity thieves who can intercept your sensitive information. To browse safely while traveling, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connecting to public Wi-Fi to encrypt your data and disable auto-connect settings on your devices to prevent them from joining unknown networks automatically. You should also consider using your mobile data plan instead of public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. It may be more expensive, but could save you in the long run.
By following these tips, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy your summer travels with greater peace of mind and less risk. Taking these precautions can significantly reduce the risk of identity theft, ensuring a smoother, worry-free vacation.
Remember to stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay safe!
