Holiday spending can be a wonderful time. We shop for our loved ones, friends, co-workers, and associates. Finding just the right gift and paying by credit card. Then, Ouch! Your credit card is declined. You know you haven’t exceeded your credit limit, and the clerk can’t tell you anything. How frustrating.
Now begins the trek to uncovering the reason for the error. Calling the credit card company results in the discovery that some else has been using your credit. How could this have happened?
We often become lax when we go shopping. And holiday time is a busy time for shoppers as well as retailers and thieves are prowling for the opportunity to take your information.
In busy stores, rushed sales clerks and crowded lines we can loose track of our credit card or easily give shoulder surfers the information they want. In the midst of all the distractions we become a victim of identity theft.
Take the time this year to protect your information. Pay closer attention to transactions and watch out for thieves causing distractions.
* Shoulder Surfers. Pay attention to people who are standing close in your space. If you are using a PIN pad at a store, guard your information. Block the other persons view with your body and your hand. If you are using an ATM, pay attention to anyone who is too close for comfort. Put your body between them and the ATM. If you haven’t started your transaction, step aside and let the other person go first.
* Check the store’s receipt. When the clerk hands you the charge card receipt for your signature, look at the copy you are signing-this is the copy the store will keep. Is your entire credit card number printed on it? If so, mark out all but the last five digits. If you leave the entire number on the receipt it is possible that a thief can copy the entire receipt, and on it is your full name, card number and signature. The store only needs the last 5 digits for reference, not the entire number.
* Sales Clerks on the Phone. When making your purchase, don’t hand your credit card over to a clerk who is on the telephone. Your card information could be relayed to another person.
* Unorganized Sales Clerks. Sales clerks who seem overly rushed or unorganized could be using that to cover up the way they are copying your credit card information. Copying your card information by hand or by a skimmer. If the clerk seems too busy, wait until he/she is finished before handing over your credit card.
* Keep sight of your credit card. Don’t let anyone walk away with your credit card. This is common in restaurants. The wait staff will take your payment and return with a receipt. What happens with your credit card while it is out of your sight? You’ll never know. Pay with cash or accompany the wait staff to the register than hand over your card. Stay with your card until the transaction is completed.
* Watch for skimmers. Skimmers are used to record magnetic information. They can be hand held, attached to a belt or attached to
an ATM or gas pump. When you use an ATM or gas pump, look for anything that looks like it’s attached or not part of the original equipment. Attached skimmers will let you complete your transaction but will also copy your information for the thieves to use later.
* Writing a Check. If you write a check, the clerk may ask you for identification. This is normal. What is not normal is for the clerk to write down your identification or information. They should not write it down on your check, or anywhere else. They are only allowed to look at it to verify you are the person named on the check. Always remember the clerk cannot write it down, anywhere.
* Junk Mail & Pre-Approved Credit Offers. Holiday shopping is filled with flyers, advertisements, pre-approved credit and offers of increasing credit limits. Don’t let these get into the hands of mail thieves. Pick up your mail daily. Shred anything that has your name on it, not just pre-approved offers.
* Watch for Statements. With more mail delivered during the holidays, you may not be aware that your bank or credit card statements did not arrive. Know when to expect them and watch for them. Check your charges with against your statement. Notify them as soon as you suspect unauthorized activity.
* Charitable donations. This time of year charities can be found everywhere. Make sure you know who you are donating to. Imposters may set up legitimate looking collection points. If you want to donate find out a local contact and make your donation directly. Don’t make a donation by check or credit card if you are not familiar with the person or organization.
* Parties. Holiday parties can be fun. It can also be a means for people to have access to your personal information in your home or at the office. Unlocked file drawers, documents or statements lying out on a desk, and outgoing mail can be an easy source for a thief to pick up. With party activities going on around you, you may not even notice someone slip into your office to steal information.
Steps to guard our information should become second nature. It takes some getting used to because we have to change our thinking. Even though we want to trust people, we should be suspicious of everyone. Over 50% of reported identity thefts have been committed by someone the victim knew. Family, friends, co-workers, service people, sales clerks or associates could all be potential thieves if given the right circumstances.
The holidays can be happy and hectic. Don’t let your guard down or provide thieves with easy access to your information. Keep your identity safe this holiday season.
Cindy Graham is author of the book, “Who Else is You?” In it, she outlines strategies on how to reduce the risk of becoming an identity theft victim. An expert who has studied current identity theft trends, Cindy understands the risks of business owners and consumers when it comes to the exposure of personal information. For more information on her speaking, consulting or book, please visit: http://www.whoelseisyou.com or call: 970-285-1581 or Cindy@EasyAs123.biz
We’re approaching that wonderful once-a-year “Turkey Day”!
For me, Turkey Day memories revolve around going to the football game between The University of Texas Longhorns (yea!) and the Texas A &M Aggies (boo!).
Because that game was traditionally on Thanksgiving Day, my family wouldn’t have the turkey and dressing meal but would opt for roast beef sandwiches and potato chips eaten out of the trunk of the car in our version of a tail-gater. I love those memories! And I still love watching my Longhorns beat up on those Aggies! (Hook’em Horns!)
However, I now realize that there is something more important about this holiday than turkey and football. It is, after all, called THANKSgiving! Let’s look at “thanks” a little more closely this year.
I believe that living with a thankful heart is the first step towards living a truly joyful life. It isn’t always easy to be thankful. Sometimes real life presents challenges, hard times, trials, and circumstances for which an average person would never consider being thankful! However, since you are NOT average, I believe you will appreciate this view of “thanks.”
T – “THINK”
Renew your mind. Be intentional about what direction you allow your thoughts to take. Don’t drift into sin. Think like God. Ask God to transform your thinking. Plug good things into your thinking: scripture, inspirational reading, devotional books and stories about people who have triumphed in all manner of circumstances.
H – “HORIZON”
Take the long term view. Remember there is always a bigger picture than what you’re experiencing right now. Ask God to help you have that long term perspective – to see things from His vantage point. I love the description of life being like a parade. We are on the street watching the parade go by and can only see what is immediately in front of us. God, however, is up high and can see the entire parade in one instant – beginning, middle and end – so He has the big picture, the 50,000
foot view!
A – “APPRECIATE”
Appreciate what you have. Train your mind to focus on the positives in your life – the things you have that are treasures to you. Too many times we allow ourselves to focus on what everyone else has that we don’t have. We can easily have a pity party, looking only at the things that are missing from our lives. That serves no purpose other than to drain our energy and our joy and turn us into crotchety, grumpy, negative people. How much better to CHOOSE to focus on the things we do have that are positive, those undeserved gifts and blessings.
N – “NOW”
Be where you are NOW in life. Enjoy it NOW. Be what God wants you to be today. By continually looking for “what’s next”, we overlook opportunities for today. If you don’t live “now here” – you’ll be “nowhere”.
K – “KNOW”
Know what is important. If you imagine yourself on your death bed, what is that you would most wish for? I guarantee it would be your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, your loved ones. By knowing what is most important each and every day, all those other things that want to vie for your attention will be shoved aside.
S – “SHARE”
We expect our kids to “be nice and share”. How about us? By sharing what God gives us (both tangible and intangible), our grip loosens and we are set free.
Think. Horizon. Appreciate. Now. Know. Share. THANKS!
This applies all year ‘round, not just at Thanksgiving. Let’s use this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to turn over a “new leaf” of being thankful all year long.
Visit LifeHouse Coaching to sign up for “Blueprints for a Dream Life” and receive Edi Sowers’ f*r*e*e* weekly articles, coaching tips, and special offers. Edi works with women business owners who work at home and face the arduous challenge of balancing their personal and professional priorities in order to build their dream life.