Topic > Protect Your Information During the Holidays

Throughout the year, millions of Americans fall victim to various types of fraudulent individuals who seek to obtain their personal information to perpetrate nefarious acts. And as the year passes and the holidays approach, it becomes increasingly difficult to securely store your information. This is because, during the holidays, we are much more distracted than at other times of the year. When you consider the endless shopping, the rushes needed to get the ideal gifts, bringing the whole family home and keeping the peace during the family dinner, it is really important to be extra vigilant during this time. Here are some tips for protecting your personal information from thieves. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayProtect Your Home: For many people, this is usually where they go wrong. With all the extra people coming in and out of your home during the holiday season, it's very easy for someone to easily take a checkbook, your credit cards, or an important sensitive document. And while we would all like to believe that we live in a world where the people we welcome into our homes don't steal from us, the truth is that many times the crime is committed by someone close to you. This is why, to prevent this from happening, try to lock all sensitive documents in a safe when you know you are expecting guests. Choose your credit card over other forms of payment: Unless absolutely necessary, avoid using checks or debit cards. The reason is that the above-mentioned forms of payment withdraw money directly from your bank account. And if fraud were to occur, the money is unlikely to be returned to your account leaving you stranded in the meantime. Using credit cards gives you about 90 days to spot the fraud and report it before being held liable, unlike debit cards which give 30 days. Visit reputable websites: Chances are, if you see an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably IS. Stay away from online platforms that advertise ridiculous prices and stick to familiar platforms. Also, to avoid being phished, choose to type the URL you want to visit into the address bar instead of clicking a link. • If you need to shop, ask questions: We understand that your favorite retailer may not have the item you're looking for, forcing you to opt for platforms you're not completely familiar with. Before you decide to use a new platform, take the time to do a simple online search, read the necessary reviews and consider other people's experiences. Leave your purse: You don't have to carry your purse that contains all the cards you have been issued in your life with you every time you go out. Simply take out the cards you need for each event and store them in a wallet that can fit in your pocket. This reduces the amount of exposure you would have if your wallet was lost or stolen. Keep an eye on your statements: In most cases, all forms of theft can be discovered in time with timely intervention which happens if you keep a regular eye on your account reports. It's important to remember that the sooner you spot suspicious activity, the faster everything will be resolved. To make it easier, monitor your online account so you can see if you are anywhere in the world. But if any of this seems too stressful for you, you can request automatic alerts on your accounts. This way, you receive a notification about every transaction made with your account and you can..