Why Didn’t I Use the Hotel Safe?

Even though I really don’t trust hotel safes, it was right there in my room for me to use, and I didn’t. I had my privacy light on. Surely nobody would come in while I was out for the evening.

I was wrong.

The maid came into my room.

And my purse was wide open on the bed – a virtual invitation for identity theft.

Fortunately, I had taken all of my cash and my driver’s license with me, but my credit cards were ripe for stealing…

However, when I looked in my wallet, they were still there. Whew!

I went to my computer, and checked my accounts to see if there had been any activity. None. So I went to sleep, and the next day, I flew home.

But an uncomfortable feeling kept nagging at me. Just because my cards were there didn’t really mean I was safe. How easy would it have been for someone to write the numbers down and then just use them later?

I couldn’t take a chance, so  I canceled the accounts, and shredded the cards.

And now I can breathe a little easier.

But I’m really ticked at myself because I’m not usually so careless. In fact, I’m kinda paranoid!

Because I goofed up,  I’m posting some Holiday ID Theft Prevention Tips which may serve as a reminder to you (and me) to be more vigilant.

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 *Change and strengthen passwords and PINs. Do this before, during, or just after the holiday shopping season to throw off any thieves who might have gained access to them. Use a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols.

*Show smartphone savvy. Use a complex password on your smartphone, and use software that allows you to remotely back up and delete the contents of your phone if it’s lost or stolen.

*Keep it simple. Don’t bring unnecessary identification, receipts, ATM cards and credit cards with you. Consider using just one credit card for purchases, so if your wallet is stolen, you only have that one card to worry about. Use a credit card instead of a debit card because there is more protection available to you if it’s lost or stolen.

*Protect your papers. Shred no-longer-needed store receipts, credit card and bank statements, monthly bills, any documents with your Social Security number, and travel documents with a cross-cut paper shredder.

*Stay safe online. Beware of scam e-mails advertising “one day only” promotions for hot items of the season that lure bargain hunters into providing credit card information. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Use only trusted, secure websites.

*Send mail securely. Send your mail from a secure post office box, and require a signature on delivery of packages.

*Beware of skimming. Skimming happens when a store clerk or restaurant server takes your credit card and runs it through a small device called a “skimmer” that copies the information from the magnetic strip. Avoid stand-alone ATM machines located in malls and convenience stores, or a bank’s ATM machine after-hours. Gas pumps are also susceptible to skimming scams.

*Remain vigilant. Check your bank and credit card accounts regularly for unusual activity, and when you use the ATM, check your account balance on your receipt!

Please be careful!

Thank you to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and Fellowes.com who supplied me with the tips. We can’t be reminded enough!