Don’t let ID fraudsters turn a dream holiday into a nightmare
With summertime in full swing and the school holidays starting, jetting off for a week of sun, sea and TLC is top of the to-do list right now for many Brits. However, Foreign Office data, revealing that more than 28,000 British passports were lost or stolen abroad before the end of last summer, has prompted leading online credit information provider, Equifax, to urge holidaymakers not to take it too easy when it comes to protecting themselves from ID fraudsters this summer.
“The most important thing to any holidaymaker is of course taking in some well-earned rest and relaxation this summer” said Andrew Webb, Sales and Marketing Director, Equifax Personal Solutions. “But the care-free spirit exhibited so often by people on their travels is precisely what makes them vulnerable to fraudsters. The very nature of travelling to a different country means that holidaymakers tend to carry quite a few personal documents including passport, driving license and credit cards. All of this information, when combined with a relaxed holiday attitude, could make them a prime target for ID fraudsters.
“Indeed, there has been a 300% increase in the number of emergency travel documents provided to Brits between summers 2012 and 2013, reinforcing the notion that holidaymakers are not taking enough care over their personal documents while abroad. Aside from the initial inconvenience of a lost passport, the longer-term impact could be quite serious.
“It has been proven that it can take just three items of information about an individual for a fraudster to be able to steal their identity – and the combination of a passport and other personal documents carried by unsuspecting holidaymakers could be all an opportunistic fraudster needs. So we are strongly urging Brits abroad this summer to be vigilant at all times about how their personal information is used and kept safe.”
Equifax also urges consumers to regularly monitor their credit report for any changes to accounts or new accounts they didn’t authorise. They can also help protect their personal information online with Equifax WebDetect. The 24/7 ID monitoring service helps enable consumers to keep one step ahead of fraudsters by alerting them to potential unauthorised trading of their personal information on the internet. WebDetect is free for customers purchasing a subscription to their Equifax Credit Report or Credit Score.
The Equifax Credit Report is accessible for 30 days free simply by logging onto equifax.co.uk/Products/credit/credit-report. If customers do not cancel before the end of the 30 Day Free Trial, the service will continue at £9.95 per month, giving them unlimited online access to their credit information and weekly alerts on any changes to their credit file. It also includes an online dispute facility to help them correct any errors on their credit file simply and quickly.
Equifax’s Top Tips on How to Avoid Holiday Fraud
Don’t clearly display your home address on your luggage. Instead use a work address or mobile phone number
Don’t write down PINs
Keep your personal documents, such as your passport, in the hotel safe
In crowds, keep your bag either strapped across your body or held firmly
A concealed money belt is an ideal way to carry your cards and valuables
Leave your passport number with someone in the UK in case it is stolen or lost. Don’t carry these details with you
Have the phone numbers for your bank with you so you can quickly cancel any lost or stolen cards
Inform your credit card company and bank of where you are going on holiday
Try to avoid keeping all of the personal information in the same place
Make sure your mobile/smartphone is password protected
On the return home, check statements and your credit file to make sure there hasn’t been any unexpected activity