Stay on your toes this holiday season

November 29, 2010 – 10:54 am

Now that the holiday season is officially in full swing, LifeLock wants to warn consumers to play it smart when it comes to shopping.

Consumers are urged to develop smart shopping habits to help protect against identity theft. During the rush to get the perfect gift, thieves will take advantage of the frenzy and use skimmers to collect personal data. Consumers must be aware of this and be prepared.

“Whether shopping in a traditional mall or online, consumers need to understand that identity thieves can lurk everywhere, especially when we let our guard down to enjoy the celebrations of the holidays,” said Wayne Ivey, a 29-year law enforcement veteran. “Each time we hand over or swipe our debit or credit card, we have the potential to have our card numbers skimmed, giving the identity thieves all they need to duplicate our cards and go on their own spending spree.”

Whatever you do this holiday season, LifeLock wants you to know and understand that dangers lurk everywhere when shopping with plastic.

When you dine out, be cautious about handing over your credit or debit card when dining in a restaurant. It’s become more common for large identity theft rings to target restaurants as a consumer point of compromise. When you give your card to a dishonest waiter or waitress, he or she can run your card through a point of sale machine to make the purchase – but he or she can also run your card through a skimmer, recording your name, card number and expiration date. A thief can then make a duplicate card…and you get stuck with the debt.

Pay attention to your surroundings when you use your debit card at an ATM. Look for anything out of the ordinary on the machine. Skimming devices can be placed on top of the bank’s equipment, and these devices record your card and account information. When using an ATM, make sure the card reader is flush with the system, and that there are no additional metal or plastic devices protruding.

When paying for gas at the pump, the same rule applies. Look for any abnormality – if the key pad or card reader looks funny, don’t use it. It’s best to choose the credit option when using your debit card, or pay inside.

Be safe this holiday season by being more aware. Don’t let the holiday rush steer you away from keeping yourself – and your personal information – safe.

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