Protect your identity this holiday season

COLUMBIA, Mo. –  It’s the season of giving, but make sure you don’t give identity thieves the gift of your personal information, says Andrew Zumwalt, University of Missouri associate teaching professor and Certified Financial Planner.

Thieves can use information such as your Social Security number, credit card data or account logins to open accounts, make purchases, drain funds or commit other fraud in your name, Zumwalt said. “Identity theft can damage your finances, credit score and reputation, and it often takes months to repair that damage.”

During the holiday season, more people are shopping, both online and in stores, which means more financial transactions, creating more opportunities for thieves to intercept data or slip in fraudulent activity unnoticed, he said. With busy schedules, gift hunting, travel and holiday stress, people may pay less attention to red flags such as suspicious emails, fake offers and other scams.

Protect your identity during the holidays

• Review bank and credit statements promptly to catch unauthorized charges.
• Be suspicious of unexpected emails or texts about package deliveries, tax refunds or “holiday deals,” especially from unknown senders.
• Limit how much personal information you keep in your wallet or purse; avoid carrying sensitive documents unnecessarily.
• When shopping online, double-check website URLs and avoid unfamiliar retailers.
• Make photocopies of your credit cards, front and back, and put in a secure location.
• Use strong passwords on your computer.
• Check your credit reports at least once a year. You can get a free credit report annually: Fill out a request online or call 877-322-8228.
• Make photocopies of your credit cards, front and back, and put them in a secure location.

If you suspect your identity has been stolen

• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at FTC’s Identity Theft website or call 877-438-4338.
• Place an fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three nationwide credit reporting agencies: Equifax, 800-685-1111; Experian, 888-397-3742; or TransUnion at 888-909-8872.
• Notify the fraud departments at your credit card issuers, bank and other places where you have accounts.