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360 794-4886 * 800 433-5945 Fax:360 794-0311
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Six Tips Toward Keeping Your Identity To Yourself

Stolen wallets or cars are major annoyances, but a stolen identity can be much worse. With the proliferation of people being known by their numbers, identity thieves have a fertile field. Before your next trip take a look at our six tips toward keeping your identity to yourself.

  • Strip your wallet and purse down to bare identifying essentials. Two credit cards should suffice. Add the numbers you need to call if your credit, charge or debit card is stolen or lost.
  • Leave your checkbook at home. At maximum, carry only the number of checks you will need. Even better, carry a debit card that does not requite the passing of information contained on most checks.
  • Each evening, remove any financial transaction papers accumulated during the day and stow them in a safe place. You may want to immediately black-out any purchase receipts that print your credit card number.
  • Instruct the post office to hold your mail while you're away to avoid inadvertently creating a treasure trove for identity thieves.
  • When using an ATM machine, insist that any waiting customers stand far enough away to make detecting your PIN impossible. For complete protection, shield the keypad, even when you can't see any lurkers. Some thieves work this scam with binoculars.
  • Use a pre-paid phone card when using public phones. Rates are usually cheaper and you don't risk giving someone else access to your phone or credit card account.

    • For more information on identity theft and ways to protect yourself, access www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

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    Phone: 360 794-4886 * 800 433-5945 Fax: 360 794-0311
    www.vacationshop.com * Travel@Vacationshop.com