It’s vacation time! Now that schools are out, you are probably planning to pack up the kids and hit the road. You might be on vacation, but thieves rarely take a rest from scouting their next victims. Protect yourself and your belongings when you’re out on the town by keeping the following in mind.
- Leave extra credit cards and your Social Security card at home to lessen the likelihood of identity theft. Also make photocopies of your cards and store them in a safe location or leave them with a friend or relative as a form of backup.
- Use credit cards over debit cards—they offer a much higher level of security for travelers.
- Take only as much cash or as many traveler’s checks that you anticipate needing.
- Carry your money and identification in something unexpected—for example, a cosmetics case or a small gift card holder. For added protection, carry your money and valuables in an inside pocket or under your clothes.
- Consider keeping at least one credit card in the hotel safe in case the others get lost or stolen.
- Don’t advertise the fact that you’re a tourist by puzzling over a big map. Go somewhere private or step into a store to orient yourself. Also make an effort to walk with purpose to avoid being marked as an out-of-towner.
- Professional pickpockets are pros at spotting and preying on tourists. One common scheme: asking for directions. While you’re distracted, an accomplice can make an easy grab for your wallet. Be kind but curt with anyone asking for directions.
Don’t neglect the threat of identity theft since it can cost a lot of time and money. For a low annual fee, Identity Recovery Coverage from ERIE offers you the protection you need by providing:
- Up to $5,000 in lost wages.
- Up to $1,000 in miscellaneous expenses.
- Certain legal fees, including the expenses for defending any civil suit brought against you by a creditor or collection agency or for removing any civil judgment wrongfully entered against you as a result of the stolen identity.
- Access to a case management team who will contact the three major credit bureaus’ fraud departments, order copies of credit reports, close accounts that have been tampered with, provide written letters on your behalf to government agencies and more.
To learn more, contact CNR Insurance at 410-897-9890.
