I just thought that
it could be more helpful if I share you this very important article that could
help you remember to be more cautious when you are out there on a trip
somewhere. Mind you, remembering these
tips for one of your travels in the future could come handy. I had the slice of my fair share once when I
was vacationing in Eastern Europe. I
won’t tell you where it was as I want to protect the reputation of that country which
I value dearly. Every place I traveled left a special place in my heart as well as in my psyche... and cannot compare one from the other. Of course,
we got to be careful even in a place where we thought to be the safest.
Please take time to read and feel free to click the link below where the article originated. Thanks to the original author.
6 Easy Ways to Avoid Fraud Abroad
Travel should be about fun, sun and relaxation, not worrying
about where your credit card info or personal identity might end up. The only
risks you should be taking on vacation involve a second--or maybe third--round
of margaritas poolside. Here's how to protect yourself and keep your identity
safe, according to Justin Grudzien, Chief Information Security Officer at
Orbitz Worldwide.
1. Don't brag on
social media... until you're back.
This is going to be unpopular, but don't tell all your
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram followers that you're going on this great trip
to Paris and will be gone all week. There used to be a website called
PleaseRobMe.com. It effectively mined data from social media and told you when
people would be away from their home for a while. It's likely that sites like
this still exist, but don't stop posting altogether -- you also don't want to
suggest that you're gone by not posting anything at all. Once you're back,
those travel photos are fair game; post all you want!
2. Take only what you
need on vacation.
The number one thing to protect is your passport or ID. I
only travel with one piece of identity, and leave things like medical and
social security cards at home. That way, should something get stolen, the
damage is as limited as possible. Also, I bring two credit cards: one that I
use, and another that I keep locked in the hotel safe, just in case I lose the
other one or it gets stolen.
3. Avoid the scan scam.
Most passports these days are RFID-enabled, which helps you
get through customs faster. But these can be easily scanned from afar without
you noticing. Luckily, there are certain kinds of secure holders that will
protect your documents from this, so I definitely recommend getting one of
those. I would also keep such documents on your person at all times.
First and foremost, call your credit card companies. All of them.
Credit card companies have fraud systems, and they monitor your spending
patterns. So if you're traveling internationally, credit card companies need to
know -- if they start to see transactions in, say, London, they might shut you
down. And that could be a major burden on you.
Be aware of your surroundings, and keep your important
documents in your front pockets instead of back pockets, since it's a lot
harder to get something out of a front pocket without you noticing. The same
goes for purses -- try to always carry something with a cross-body strap, and
to keep your purse in front of you. And keep everything else that you don't
need locked in the hotel safe.
6. Keep an eye on your accounts.
All the big credit-monitoring companies -- Experian,
Transunion, and Equifax -- have three-in-one credit monitoring. Sign up for one
of these to get alerts, and keep an eye on major changes to your balances, or
any accounts in your name that may spring up once you've returned home. And, of
course, call your bank to let them know you're back and to keep an eye out for
any suspicious foreign charges.
