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Holiday PlanningShoppers Look out - 'Tis The Season
by:
James H. Dimmitt
It’s the number one complaint from consumers and it only takes a moment for you to become a victim. Patch you search for holiday bargains, identity thieves are searching for targets - unsuspecting consumers. Here are several tips to help you safeguard your identity and different valuables:
1) Protect your account amount - Most stores only print the last four or five digits of the charge account on your receipt. However, several stores haven’t caught up with technology. If the bourgeois does an impression of your charge card, be sure to ask for any carbons that are part of the receipt. “Dumpster divers” can lift account amount from discarded carbons to steal your identity and your account information.
2) Protect Your Societal Safety Number - If you are asked to provide a SSN once
fashioning a purchase, challenge the cashier as to why they need this information. Request that several different form of ID be used instead of your SSN. There is no valid reason for them to request this information. You provided it once
you applied for your account so they should already have this on file.
However, if you’ve opened a new account, don’t be astonied if the cashier asks to see several form of image ID, such as a driver’s license. Don’t view this as an imposition, remember that the store is really taking steps to protect you - fashioning sure that you are the account holder.
3) Support an eye on your charge cards and receipts - Don’t let your charge card leave your sight. Most cashiers wish support your card so that they can verify the name on the receipt. However, sometimes they just swipe your card, then hand it back to you or put it on the counter for you to retrieve. Check that the card you’ve been given back is yours and not being else’s. Occasionally, mistakes can happen, especially once
the store is busy.
Also, do sure that you take your receipts with you. You’ll need them to verify your purchases once
your bills move in Jan
and February.
4) Watch for pickpockets - Professional pickpockets love the holiday purchasing
season. Open backpacks, large purchasing
bags and unstrapped purses are a pickpockets dream. "Be wary of the distractions about you, because that's what the pickpockets like. They commonly activity in teams," aforementioned Edward Gross, a Chicago police officer. “They commonly activity in teams. For example, one of the team members fakes a fall and once
an innocent person tries to help that's once
the different dip lifts the victim’s wallet.”
5) Use a credit card and a secure site once
purchasing
online - Paying by credit card is the safest way to pay online. It protects your legal right to dispute charges for goods or services ne'er
received, ne'er
ordered or misrepresented.
When you get to the merchant’s payment page, the “http” at the beginning of the url address should change to “https” or “shttp”. This is a sign that the site is encrypting or scrambling your credit card information as you send it to them. Many a browsers wish even as alert you of this via a pop-up window. Whenever possible, print and support a receipt of your online dealings in case you need it later.
Happy Holidays!
Just about the author:
© 2004, www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
Author: James H. Dimmitt
James is editor of "TO YOUR CREDIT", a weekly free account to help you manage your personal finances. Subscribe to the account by visiting
http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.comHe is as well author of “Identity Felony - How to Avoid Becoming the Next Victim!” accessible at http://tinyurl.com/bc45
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