Happy Holidays, or are they….?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), approximately ten million Americans have their identity stolen each year, with the majority of these thefts taking place over the holiday season. As more business is being done online and sensitive data being stored on personal computers, the risk of fraud has increased exponentially. The holiday shopping season makes the risks even higher as online retailers provide large discounts to attract buyers who are searching for the best deals. While shoppers look forward to these bargains, identity thieves are even more eager to steal the plethora of personal information that will be shared between consumers and businesses. While technology can help these buyers reach potential purchases and find those great bargains, it also makes them more vulnerable to identity theft and scams.

Unfortunately, no one is immune to these types of crimes and they can have a tremendous impact on your finances long after the holidays are over. The rush of the holiday season can make it a busy time for identity thieves but shoppers can take simple steps to help guard their personal information. If you see any suspicious activity or feel you have become the victim of identity theft, you should report it as soon as possible.

Most of the time people don't realize their passwords or credit card numbers have been stolen until it is too late. The information is harvested by spyware, viruses, phishing attacks, and other malicious programs and then shared with other hackers or sold online through underground websites. Here are 10 tips on protecting your identity during the holidays, written by Jessica L. Behunin, CISSP ®, IT Security Analyst in the Information Management and Technology Department at UNC.

Shop smart - When shopping, limit the credit cards you carry and don't take extras. Leave your Social Security card, birth certificate and passport at home.

Keep receipts and check your statements - For post-holiday statements; be sure to examine every charge on your statement before paying. Your receipts provide a great cross-reference check and guard against suspicious activity. Remember, by law, you have 30 days from the date of your statement to notify your financial institution of any discrepancies, otherwise you can be liable for any purchases made.
Protect computer prior to online shopping - Make sure your security patch and antivirus software is updated regularly. Consider purchasing technology that protects against potential viruses that threaten your identity.

Watch where you shop online - Always check for the lock icon on the website's browser status bar, which signals a secure site that is safe for transactions. If you have never heard of a website before, check to make sure it has security precautions in place and that it is not a fake website set up by identity thieves.

Don't write a check - give cash or a gift card. All of the information on a check, such as your name, signature, address and other information, can be used by thieves to steal your identity.

Shred documents with personally identifiable information, preferably using a security micro-cut shredder.

Strengthen passwords - so that they will not be easily cracked by hackers. Use strong passwords with at least eight characters, including a combination of letters, numbers and symbols that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for predators to pounce upon.

Watch your purse/wallet at parties - restaurants, fitness clubs, shopping carts or your car.

Don't take the bait on phishing scams - and beware of shoulder surfing (when a thief looks over your shoulder while you're at an ATM, either directly or via a camera).

Stop mail, newspaper delivery if traveling during the holidays.

These are just a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself over this holiday season and make sure that it is a good one!