Ready to Travel Again?

Are you one of the millions of Americans ready to hit the road or board a plane for a quick getaway or a weeklong vacation again? So are identity thieves.

They’ve formed more creative ways to steal personal information in record numbers from people working, learning, and shopping from home throughout the pandemic. Whether selling data on the dark web or creating fake accounts, identity thieves are going places with other people’s data.

Wherever you go (even if that’s home), always practice these habits to protect your identity:

Before Your Trip

• Clear your wallet or purse. Only carry what you need for the trip, such as your driver’s license, passport, and essential credit and debit cards.
• Notify your financial providers about your trip so they won’t decline your card for suspected fraudulent activity.
• Check your credit report. This will help you spot suspicious changes when you return.
• Hold your mail. The U.S. Postal Service can hold your mail for up to 30 days. It also offers Informed Delivery, which scans your mail and emails you a PDF. When you return, you can check for missing items.
• Pay your bills to avoid exposing sensitive personal information online while traveling.