--- title: How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays description: You're busy shopping, decorating, and baking...and less cautious about your financial information over the holidays. Protect yourself from identity thieves hard at work. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(1)-1.png --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - 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Identity thieves know this, willing and eager to take advantage of your distraction. In addition to plain old wallet snatching, there are [lots of digital ways thieves may try to access your information](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/security). You’ve probably heard of [phishing ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-growing-trends-in-identity-theft)(fraudulent email), but now you also have to look out for [vishing](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/scam-alert-beware-the-online-banking-vhishing-scam) (voice mail) and smishing (text message) attempts to gain access to your sensitive personal information. Each type of fraud is designed to get you to reveal your account numbers, passwords, social security numbers, and credit card numbers. Thieves are very clever so you need to be extra careful, especially during the holidays. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re shopping – online or in a store - for those perfect holiday gifts. ## **Online Security** If you’re doing a lot of online holiday shopping, check to make sure the site is verified by TRUSTe and the URL begins with https://. Don’t be tempted to shop on a computer at the library or while you’re enjoying a coffee at your favorite café - only shop from your home computer with a private WIFI connection. And finally, don’t ever store your card information on a [retail site](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-protect-yourself-from-mobile-app-fraud) – it may be convenient but it’s not always safe. ## **Store Security** Crowded stores are perfect places for ID thieves to hide among all the shoppers. Before you leave for the mall, clean out your wallet and only carry one credit card so if it’s stolen, you won’t lose everything. Be sure to keep a written record at home of all your credit cards, account numbers, and phone numbers to call if they’re lost. When you make a purchase, always run your debit card as credit so you don’t have to punch in your PIN. And of course, don’t leave your purse in your shopping cart or a dressing room where it might get snatched or fall into the wrong hands. What should you do if, despite your best efforts, your information is stolen? - Contact *all* the financial institutions where you have accounts as they may need to be closed. - If your credit card information has been stolen, contact the credit bureaus: [Experian](https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html), [TransUnion](https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources), and [Equifax](https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/identity-theft/). - If you think your Social Security number has been compromised, visit [IdentityTheft.gov](https://www.identitytheft.gov/) and file a report. ## Social Media Be cautious of posts on social media platforms that seem too good to be true, especially during the holiday season. They may present themselves as promotions or contests, offer you a gift card, and they may even be forwarded to you by friends you trust. However, be aware that these seemingly innocent offers may lead you to participate in an online survey designed to collect your personal information. Remember, before you click on an ad through a social media platform, take the time to thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of the website. Protect yourself by ensuring its credibility before sharing any credit card or personal details. Stay informed and stay safe! The faster you act, the better the chances are of minimizing the damage a thief might do. Call Hanscom FCU immediately at 800-656-4328 if you believe your account, credit, or debit card has been breached. Even if you're unsure, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Wishing you a safe, secure, and happy holiday season this year! Learn more ways to guard against [identity theft](https://www.balancepro.net/idtheft/index.html) in the video below.       *[![Subscribe to the MoneyWisdom Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/5d4de6f1-1515-45dc-944c-636f697986bf.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/5d4de6f1-1515-45dc-944c-636f697986bf)*   *Others are reading:* - [5 Costly Checking Account Mistakes Most People Make](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-costly-checking-account-mistakes-most-people-make) - [3 Holiday Spending Traps to Avoid This Year](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-holiday-overspending-traps-to-avoid-this-year) - [5 Tips to Avoid Social Media Scams](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-tips-to-avoid-social-media-quiz-scams) - [Checking Your Credit: Be Sure You Have the Right Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/checking-your-credit-be-sure-you-have-the-right-score) - [6 Tips for Better Password Protection](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-tips-for-better-password-protection) ** [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security), [Scams](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/scams), [Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/holidays) [** Traveling this summer? 9 credit card tips to know ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/traveling-this-summer-9-credit-card-tips-to-know) [** Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/protect-your-accounts-from-the-rise-of-check-fraud) ### About Author ![Bill Burpeau](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/file-2383552195-png/Blog_Authors/Bill_Burpeau.png) Bill Burpeau Bill Burpeau is a Financial Wellness Coach at Hanscom FCU. As a Credit Union Certified Financial Counselor, he is an enthusiastic advocate of everyone being engaged in their financial health, educated and empowered to make the best financial decisions for themselves every day. He constantly studies and is up to date with the latest financial management concepts and technology. Bill is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a BBA in Business Management and served in the U.S. Navy as a Supply Officer. Related Posts [![Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16)-2.png) Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/protect-your-accounts-from-the-rise-of-check-fraud) [![How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px-1.png) How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/ai-voice-cloning-scam) [![How to Avoid a Romance Scam](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/older%20couple%20on%20park%20bench.png) How to Avoid a Romance Scam ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/how-to-avoid-a-romance-scam) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. 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The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. 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Moreover, Hanscom Federal Credit Union's privacy policies do not apply to any of the linked websites within this blog. Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Bill Burpeau" }, "dateModified" : "December 5, 2023, 4:10:11 PM", "datePublished" : "2023-12-05 16:10:11", "description" : "You're busy shopping, decorating, and baking...and less cautious about your financial information over the holidays. 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