Thieves Don't Take a Holiday

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the biggest shopping season of the year. As we enter the holiday season this is a good time to remember to take additional precautions against identity theft. Because of the distractions of the holidays and crowded shopping environments, conditions are ripe for identity thieves to take advantage of the situation. Please keep in mind that not all thieves work alone. They may have an accomplice whose job is solely to distract the shopper from the theft.

Here are some helpful hints from your credit union’s Risk Management Department:

1. Mail interception: Watch for monthly bills to ensure that they are indeed delivered. We all know that the holidays will cause some mailing delays. However, if you have not received your bills within a few days of their regularly scheduled dates, contact both the issuer and the Post Office. Failure to receive a bill could be as innocent as a misdelivery or a delay, or it could be an indicator of mail theft. If this is a case of theft, let the Postal Inspector’s Office know. Reduce the risk of mail interception by paying your bills online. Coastal's online bill pay service (c-Pay) is FREE and easy to use. More info.
   
   
2. Shoulder surfing: Shoppers often open new credit cards to cover large holiday purchases. It’s also a perfect time for shoulder surfers (those who either purposely overhear conversations or look over shoulders for information – hence the name shoulder surfer) to “borrow” sensitive information. No matter how busy you get or how stressed the situation, take a few extra moments to protect credit cards, driver’s licenses and checks from wandering eyes. Instead of verbally sharing requested sensitive information, write it down for the clerk and then take that slip of paper with you, stored in a place where others cannot lift it.
   
   
3. Credit card receipts: Some states (including North Carolina) have started to require that companies truncate, or block out, part of your credit card number from the customer’s copy of a receipt. Place that receipt in a secure location in your wallet. Do not throw it in the purchase bag. Pickpockets and thieves are watching for that. They won’t steal grandma’s new sweater but will be happy to take the receipt that has your credit card number on it.
   
   
4. Information protection: Shred any receipts you no longer want, especially those with credit card numbers on them. Lock up any documents with financial, credit or social security information on them BEFORE allowing guests into your home. Be stingy with your social security number - there are only a limited number of reasons a company might need it. Add passwords onto all your credit cards, financial accounts and utility accounts to verify your identity. By the way, home shredders make great gifts.
   
   
5. Phone scams: As with other times of year, be cautious in giving information to telephone solicitors. No matter how good the product or how needy the charity, it’s not worth becoming a victim of identity theft. Be cautious about purchasing products over the phone unless you initiated the call or found the number in a reliable catalogue.
   
   
6. Credit Card Skimming: Credit card skimming occurs when a clerk 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. The golden rule is “Out of sight, out of control.” Keep your eyes on your cards at all times. Don’t let a clerk or accomplice distract you from the transaction.
   
   
7. Dumpster diving: We all get more mail than we can deal with at this time of year. Take the time to look through each envelope. Don’t assume an envelope contains a business gift card or advertisement. It may well be a pre-approved credit card offer or transfer balance check that looks a greeting card. Shred any documents that contain bar codes or sensitive data or something someone could use to steal an identity.
   
   
8. Mailing bills: Each year we see neighborhood mail boxes filled to overflowing with outgoing mail. We recommend that you mail envelopes containing checks or sensitive information at the post office, or at a blue Post Office mailbox. During the holiday, make sure that the your mail box is sufficiently empty enough that your mail doesn’t sit within easy reach of someone’s inquiring hands. Also, avoid mailing items after the last pick-up of the day. Sign up for Coastal's FREE online bill pay service.
   
   
9. Online Shopping: It is a good idea to 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 should do. Avoid using debit cards for this purpose. Make sure the company is on a secure server site and that the information you send is encrypted.
   
   
10. Document and purse snatching: Unzipped purses, open bags or ones hanging over your back or that may have slipped over your back are open invitations to pickpockets. Carry your wallet or purse securely. We recommend fanny packs for men and women. Attach it so that it rests against your stomach. If a woman is carrying a purse, you should loop the strap over the shoulder and have the clasp-side of the purse against the FRONT of your body. A man with a wallet should carry it in front pocket or in back in a velcro-closed pocket. Put a large rubber band around the wallet a couple times to create more friction and make it harder for the thief to pickpocket. Keep in mind even a fanny pack may be pick pocketed. If a person is standing in front of you or holding something that blocks a line of sight to your pack, keep your hands on the zipper or clasp. And to make it harder for thieves, think about carrying wallets (with ID) and credit cards in different places in your purse or your body. If a thief should get your wallet, they won’t get everything at once. Finally, don’t carry any documents or credit cards you don’t need that day, especially ones with your SSN on them. Check fraud is difficult to stop so leave your checkbook at home and use credit or check cards. It is also easier to exchange an item with a card receipt. Don't have a Coastal Visa Check Card? Order yours today.

With some additional awareness, the holiday season doesn’t have to be an open door to identity thieves. And while we cannot prevent becoming a victim, following these tips should help to convince a thief to find an easier target. Please contact Coastal Federal Credit Union’s Risk Management department at idhelp@coastalfcu.org if you have any concerns!