ITRC Fact Sheet 141
Consumer Shopping Tips
Whether it’s a back to school sale, a once-a-month clearance, or a holiday shopping trip, large shopping crowds and busy malls create prime openings for the identity thief. As identity theft is a crime of opportunity, thieves often take advantage of distracted shoppers, crowds and even temporary workers to steal credit cards, debit cards, checks and even Social Security numbers. ITRC would like to make the following suggestions to make sure that thieves don’t have a shopping spree on you.
- Social Security Numbers: Leave your Social Security card at home. With that number, thieves can open up credit cards in your name without your knowledge.
- Credit and debit cards: Don’t walk away from the cashier who is holding your card to grab one last item. Keep your cards with you at all times. Make sure they don’t swipe it through a second machine or walk away to another room to complete the transaction. Credit cards are a better choice than debit cards because you receive a statement before any bill is paid. Debit cards are a direct link to your bank account and electronically transfer money immediately to the merchant. If you want to use debit cards, link them to a bank account with a small amount of money in it, and not to your only bank account. If the card has a VISA or Mastercard logo on it the thief can use it without a PIN. If stolen, it could be difficult to prove you didn’t make the purchase when you were in the same mall that day.
- Keep a copy of all credit and debit card numbers and the emergency number at home in a locked box, in case they get lost or stolen. The more quickly you call, the faster you can cancel the numbers and limit your liability.
- This is not the best time to open a new credit card at a store. Busy clerks may not take the same safety precautions with your application or may use a workstation phone to call in your information. Crowds around cashier desks means that other “shoppers” may either see your application or hear your Social Security number being spoken aloud as the clerk gets permission to issue you that new card. Is it really worth 5% more to put your identity at risk? If you truly want that new card, make sure people cannot see what you are writing. Never state your Social Security number aloud or allow another person to do so.
- Purse snatching and pickpockets: Make it difficult for a thief to access your information. Only carry the credit cards you need for that day. Unzipped purses, backpacks or open bags are open invitations to pickpockets. If carrying a purse, loop the strap over your shoulder and have the clasp-side of the purse against the FRONT of your body. A fanny pack, while not a fashion statement, is a safer way to carry a wallet. Shop with a friend. Together you can watch each other’s belongings more carefully. If possible, leave the children at home.
- Check writing: ITRC recommends that you leave checkbook and deposit slips at home and use a credit card instead. If a thief gets hold of your checkbook you may be hearing from merchants and collection agencies for months afterwards, even if you close the account. Unfortunately, we do not have a national program to notify all merchants about closed or stolen account information. Write checks with a gel pen with specially formulated ink that absorbs into the paper fibers or one with non-erasable ink. This makes it harder for a thief to alter the check. Finally, take the bill to the post office to mail. Don’t put it on the “come and pick me up” clip on your unlocked mailbox. You never know who “picked up your mail” that day.
- Mailing bills: Every year we see post office boxes filled to overflowing with outgoing mail. We recommend that you mail envelopes containing checks or sensitive information inside the post office before the last pickup of the day. During the holidays, make sure that the post office box is sufficiently empty so that that your mail doesn’t sit within easy reach of someone’s grasping hands.
- Shoulder surfing: Take a few extra moments to protect credit cards, driver’s licenses and checks from wandering eyes. And don’t forget that while you sit waiting for a plane or walk down the street, anyone can hear your cell phone conversation. Don’t share your credit card numbers or Social Security Number in an open, public environment.
- Credit Card Skimming: Credit card skimming occurs when someone slides your credit card through a second machine that scans the information from the magnetic strip and stores it until it is downloaded onto a counterfeit card. Remember, “Out of sight is out of control.” Keep your eyes on your cards at all times. Don’t let a clerk or accomplice distract you from the transaction.
- Information protection: During the holidays, lock up any documents with financial, credit or Social Security information on them BEFORE allowing guests into your home.
- Online Shopping: Computers don’t steal information, thieves do. It is safe to shop on-line as long as the company is on a secure server with “https” and a locked padlock. Keep a printout of the web page(s) describing the item you ordered, any email messages, and the page that shows the seller’s name, address, telephone number and return policies should you have any problems. For online purposes, it is not necessary to provide a Social Security Number. A credit card number is preferred for on-line purchases. For more information please go to the ITRC website: http://www.idtheftcenter.org/artman2/publish/m_press/Safe_On-Line_Shopping_Tips.shtml
- Car theft issues: Park your car near a building and under a light if at night. Make your vehicle an undesirable target. Law enforcement has confirmed that most crime during the holiday season revolves around shopping centers, stoles and parking lots of malls. If you stop to shop after work, it is best to leave your laptop at home or at the office, where it is locked up. A laptop seen in a back seat or seen being put into the trunk of a car at the shopping mall is an invitation to steal. Too many thieves may be watching, especially around mall parking lots.
While you cannot completely prevent yourself from becoming a victim, the tips above should help you from becoming an easy target.
This fact sheet should not b
e used in lieu of legal advice. Any requests to reproduce this material, other than by individual victims for their
own use, should be directed to
ITRC
.
© Copyright 2010 by Identity Theft Resource Center