5 tips to help avoid identity theft during summer travel

Many of us will go on summer vacations this year and focus on relaxing with family. Many of us will also have our identity stolen during our summer vacations. By protecting your identity and not just simply monitoring your credit, you can enjoy  your summer vacation without having to worry about identity theft. As part of a sponsored campaign by Find Your Influence and LifeLock, I’m sharing 5 tips to help avoid identity theft during summer travel.

We all have ideas of a perfect summer vacation. Maybe it’s spending time lounging poolside at your favorite resort.

Or maybe your plans include visiting your favorite theme park and spending the week watching your family enjoy the attractions.

I guarantee your ideal summer vacation plans do not include having your identity stolen. Identity theft happens frequently during summer travel but without a plan to help avoid it, you just might find yourself in a situation you didn’t include in your summer vacation plans. 

5 tips to help avoid identity theft during summer travel

1) Don’t tell everyone your summer travel plans

We all get excited for summer vacation but announcing your plans online is not a good idea. I’m the first to say I break this common rule frequently. Experts advise against sharing your vacation plans on social media and during casual conversations with acquaintances. By sharing that your home will be empty for a specific period of time you are at a higher risk for identity theft. If you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time, place your mail on hold and have a neighbor be sure to pick up packages or other items left at your front door from delivery carriers. Don’t draw attention to your home being empty by allowing newspapers to pile up  on your doorstep. Temporarily stop your delivery service or have a neighbor pick up your paper.

2) Only carry essentials in your wallet while traveling

With the possibility of losing  your wallet or someone taking it purposely, be sure to leave all the extras at home. Shopping cards, library cards, extra credit cards, and other items with any personal information should be left home in a safe. While it might feel silly to put your pharmacy shopping card in a safe, think about how detrimental it could be if someone assuming your identity had all of your personal cards. 

3) Protect your smartphone

Smartphones are full of personal information. While traveling it’s a good idea to set up a screen lock with a pass code required in case your phone is lost or stolen.

4) Do not provide your personal information to anyone without proper verification

Popular identity theft scams include calls to hotel rooms pretending to be the front desk asking to verify credit card information. As always, don’t ever provide your personal information to anyone without first verifying their identification and intent.

5) Protect your identity with LifeLock

This summer my family traveled multiple times and I always felt secure knowing I would receive an alert from LifeLock anytime my personal information was used. As a social media influencer, sometimes it’s challenging for me to avoid sharing my location through social media and as a victim of identity theft already, I completely know the devastating consequences. However, I gained back my sense of security with Lifelock and wasn’t worried during summer travel this year.

Taking the necessary actions to protect your family is easy with LifeLock. My personal identity theft story came as a surprise because I truly believed it wouldn’t happen to me. Millions are affected by identity theft and more victims are being identified daily. Lifelock monitors your credit, scans for identity threats, and responds to identity theft. 

With LifeLock you can enjoy your summer vacation without worrying about identity theft.

Use “LifeLockSafety” to receive 10% off your LifeLock membership!

LifeLock President Hilary Schneider wrote the foreward in a book to help you learn even more about reducing your chances of having your identity stolen. The Stolen Identity: What Anyone with a Name, Birthdate and Social Security Number Needs to Know Now book will increase your knowledge about identity theft and teach you how to help avoid having your identity stolen. 

Identity theft is one of the most widespread and fast-evolving crimes, but many people don’t realize that it goes far beyond having a credit card number stolen. It can jeopardize your healthcare, block you from receiving the tax refund you’re due, interfere with a job or loan, and even run up debt for your children or elderly parents. Learn more about the alarming ways identity in which thieves operate today and what you can do to reduce your chances of having your identity stolen.

One lucky reader will win a copy of Stolen Identity: What Anyone with a Name, Birthdate and Social Security Number Needs to Know Now.

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Learn more about the ultimate credit protection on the LifeLock website  and  by connecting with LifeLock on Facebook and Twitter.