Identity theft: Fending off holiday Grinches

Protecting your identity is “particularly important during the holidays,” said Pamela Yip in The Dallas Morning News. Crowds offer thieves greater cover, and amid the general hubbub we aren’t always careful enough with mail. Always be sure you have a lock on your mailbox and a shredder handy. “Identity theft is a crime of opportunity, so make yourself a less attractive target.” Don’t head out to the mall with your checkbook or your Social Security number—both of which give thieves exactly the information they need to swipe your identity. Also, keep tabs on your credit card at the checkout. Unscrupulous clerks can “skim” your card through a second machine that downloads your information.

Many shoppers fear identity theft when buying online, said Christine Dugas in USA Today. They should use the same common sense for Internet purchases as they would in the real world, says George Peabody, director of Mercator Advisory Group. “Don’t go to places that you don’t trust.” Consider using one of the increasingly popular alternative payment systems designed to ease concerns about credit card information being compromised. Set up an account with online middleman Google Checkout or PayPal Express Checkout. You can add an extra layer of security with Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code, which link your account to a password. Or, if you’d rather pay with a check or money order, you can opt for BillMeLater.com, which sends bills via snail mail.

All three major credit bureaus are now offering consumers nationwide the option to freeze their lines of credit, said Michelle Singletary in The Washington Post. “A security freeze is much better than a ‘fraud alert,’” which simply tells lenders to use caution when handing out credit. A freeze blocks anyone from opening a new credit card or taking out a loan without your specific authorization. “To implement a freeze, you will have to send a certified letter to each of the three major credit bureaus.” You’ll receive a personal identification number, which you’ll have to provide whenever you want to “unfreeze” your account. For more details go to FinancialPrivacyNow.org.

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