Page 34 - The Magazine of AAA Ohio Auto Club – November 2020

Identity Theft:
Don’t be a Victim this Holiday Season
The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. For many people, it’s filled with shopping, preparations and constant on-the-go. Unfortunately, holiday preppers aren’t the only busy ones. Identity thieves, hard at work all year, are working even harder around the holidays. Don’t let the distractions of gift buying make you a target for fraud.
The Facts
According to the Federal Trade Commission, there were 3.2 million identity theft and fraud reports received in the U.S. in 2019, amounting to more than $1.9 billion in losses. About 20% of these complaints were related to identity theft. Topping the list of identity theft types were credit card fraud, loan or lease fraud, phone or utility fraud and bank fraud. Most identity theft reports came from individuals aged 30-39.
The Reasons
It’s no secret that people spend a lot of time shopping during the holidays. Consumers are doing more transactions now than most other times of the year, with shopping both in-store and online and ATM withdrawals. This year could see even more online transactions than ever, with many people turning to internet shopping because of COVID-19. In-store, people tend to hurry around to beat the rush, get the best deals or finish their shopping as quickly as possible. This sense of urgency can result in a lack of focus on essential things. It can become easier to lose track of personal items or take less caution around transactions.
How to Stay Safe
There are plenty of ways to lower your risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. If you’re shopping
in stores, make sure to pay attention to your belongings. It can be easy to become a target for pickpockets if you’re juggling bags and not keeping an eye on your personal belongings.
Do your best to cover your credit or debit card information while making transactions. Cellphones make it incredibly easy for someone to take a photo of your personal information. Keep an eye out for credit
card skimmers as well. Never use an ATM or card reader that appears like it’s been tampered with.
If you’re shopping online, make sure to purchase from secured sites only. If you ever see something that looks suspicious, visit an establishment’s website directly and don’t click on strange links sent to you. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi and make sure your computer has up-to-date security software.
With these tips and tools, you can take steps to ensure your information remains safe this holiday season. However, if you think your personal information has been compromised, immediately report it to the credit card company, applicable financial institution and the police. Identity theft incidents or attempts also can be reported to agencies such as the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission. No matter what your holiday routine looks like, AAA wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.
32 | AAA MAGAZINE
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