Identity Thieves Don't Take a Break While You Go On Vacation

Statement

Summer's here! You've packed your bags, packed the car, and you are ready for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. While this time of year provides great opportunities for folks to travel and get away, it doesn't mean identity thieves and fraudsters are taking a vacation from trying to steal from you.

Thieves, scammers and fraudsters continue to seek ways to steal your personal and financial information. As you travel this summer, I encourage you to stay aware of threats and utilize best practices to protect you and your family.

As you prepare for your trip, avoid announcing your travel plans on social media. Doing so invites identity thieves and scammers to target your house while you're gone. It also is a good idea to turn off location settings on your mobile device, and hold off posting vacation photos until you return, to thwart thieves scanning social media for their next victim.

Debate about travel often centers on what items to pack. Limiting what you bring on vacation may save you possible identity theft headaches and lightening what's in your wallet may save your bank account. Never travel with your Social Security card and bring only essential credit or debit cards - if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen, you will have an easier time canceling and replacing missing items. While leaving credit cards or other sensitive, personal documents in your hotel room may seem like a viable option, it is never a good idea. If you don't need them while traveling, consider leaving them at home in a secure location.

When putting identifiable information on your suitcases and bags, it is best to only list your last name and a contact number. Your full name and address on a suitcase ID tag alerts strangers handling your bags that your house may an easy target while you're away. This is also true for train, plane and bus tickets. Never leave them behind - they contain a treasure trove of personal information for identity thieves.

Be mindful of public Wi-Fi and computers, like those located conveniently in hotel lobbies or business centers. Thieves and fraudsters can target and access these networks to steal the personal information of those who use them - so limit your use of these technologies when on the road, and reset your passwords when you get back home.

Thieves are also known to use credit card "skimmer" devices at ATMs and in other card readers to steal your credit card account data. We've seen a recent increase in the number of skimmer devices in central Iowa, and they're getting more difficult to detect. Choose to use ATMs located inside of banks, or machines with security cameras monitoring them, and always monitor your credit card for suspicious activity. If there's a breach of your personal information or account data, call your bank or credit card company immediately.

While there is no quick fix to address scammers and identity theft, fighting these criminals starts with knowing what's out there and being as prepared as possible. As the founder of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force to Combat Identity Theft and Fraud, I lead a group of over 20 dedicated legislators from both sides of the political aisle to work to find commonsense solutions to protect all Americans from hackers, scammers, thieves and fraudsters.

My bipartisan task force seeks to examine the scope of fraud and how best to address it with a thorough and thoughtful approach. I am committed to fighting these criminals, increase your security and increase the penalties and punishments for scammers, thieves and fraudsters. Through our bipartisan task force's efforts we can fight for solutions which work for you.

Enjoy your summer break, take time to spend with your family and friends, but remember - be mindful of your surroundings, take care to protect your information, and stay safe!

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