TEMPE, Ariz., June 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Images of summer vacations for most people include building sandcastles, swimming or relaxing with a good book. Images of summer vacations for identity thieves shine brightly with dollar signs as you relax in a hammock without a care in the world. As summer travel ramps up, LifeLock, Inc., an industry leader in proactive identity theft protection, offers the following advice for travelers who want to avoid becoming victims of identity theft:
GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE: During this summer's international games in London, the potential for identity theft related scams could be heightened as travelers look to cross the Atlantic to support Team USA. Identity thieves can pose as trusted sources offering you the "deal of the century" if you just follow their link. Verify all offers by opening a new Web browser and typing in the Web address that you trust to confirm the authenticity of the offer.
LEAVE FACEBOOK AT HOME: Before departing and during your travels, consider avoiding Facebook status updates. By posting your travel plans, you are announcing to all of your friends (and even the world if your page isn't marked to private) that you are away from home, leaving your unattended home vulnerable to invasion. Many Facebook users include their home address, mobile phone, home phone and other pieces of valuable personally identifiable information wide open for potential thieves. Consider posting your updates once you return home.
WORRIED ABOUT WI-FI?: Relax. Vacation is a time to relax so leave the laptop, tablet or smartphone at home. If you MUST take it with you, ensure that you have updated your passwords/pass-phrases and that you are not connecting to the Internet via free Wi-Fi connections. These free connections are not secure and can make the data you are transmitting (user names/passwords for accounts like Facebook, payment information for excursions) open for the right identity thief to capture.
4 C's, Call your Credit Card Companies: Contact your credit card companies and your banks to let them know you will be travelling. Because you may be going out of state or leaving the country, the credit card company could assume that your card has been compromised and turn off access to that card. Take only what you need with you and consider leaving your retail credit cards at home.
TAG YOUR BAGS SMARTLY: When travelling by train or plane, tag your luggage smartly. Do not put your home address or the address to which you are travelling on your luggage tag. By providing your home address, you could direct thieves to your empty home. Instead, list a mobile phone number on your tag. This will allow airport officials to contact you when your luggage arrives.
Contact:
Cortney Lanik
Media Relations Manager
480-457-2032
Cortney.Lanik@lifelock.com
About LifeLock
LifeLock, Inc. is an industry leader in identity theft protection. Since 2005, LifeLock has been relentlessly protecting identities by providing consumers with the tools and confidence they need to help protect themselves from identity theft and manage their credit. The company has a strong focus on educating consumers and working with law enforcement and elected officials to better understand the increasing threats of identity theft. A multiple award-winning organization for two consecutive years, LifeLock has been recognized by Inc. magazine on their annual list of top 500 fastest growing privately held businesses in the United States and by the American Business Awards as having the 2011 Customer Service Team of the Year. In August 2011, Javelin Strategy & Research named LifeLock Command Center and LifeLock Credit Score Manager as "Best in Prevention" in their annual Identity Protection Vendor Report. As of March 2012 ID Analytics, Inc., a leader in enterprise identity risk management with advanced science that provides visibility into identity risk and credit worthiness, is a wholly owned subsidiary of LifeLock, Inc.
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