Known as the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and it's online cousin, Cyber Monday, will officially kick off the 2009 holiday shopping season as retailers slash prices and offer outrageous deals on endless array of products. Unfortunately, Black Friday and Cyber Monday will kick off the cyber crime season as well. At no other time in the year are you more at risk and, as such, the need for ID protection so high.
Desperate economic times and hotbed of wireless activity make for the perfect setting to steal your personal information. The following tips are meant to help you avoid becoming a victim as you run around looking for the best 2009 Black Friday deals.
Store Shopping ID Protection Tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings: The stores and malls will be packed with people on Black Friday 2009. As you run around to take advantage of all the hot deals, make sure you slow down enough to know that you are not leaving your wallet or credit card behind. Also, keep you personal items in a place that is not easily accessible to others as people will surely be bumping into you in those crowded malls.
- Limit the number of credit cards you use: While you may have many cards, try to limit your Black Friday holiday shopping to just one or two cards in order to decrease your exposure. Also, try to use cards with a low credit limits. If it does get stolen, this will help limit the damage.
- Beware of holiday help: Many retailers hire part-time employees to assist with the rush of holiday shoppers. Often times, these employees are criminals looking to steal your personal information. Make sure you are aware of what they are doing at all times, especially if you are paying with a credit card.
- Cash is king: The best defense is a good offense. If you can afford to pay cash on Black Friday, it is the ultimate form of ID protection.
- Beware of the car: Keep things out of sight. Make sure you keep newly purchased items in the trunk of your car. Also, don't leave big ticket items in the car (i.e. TVs and computers) while you continue to shop. Take them right home.
Online Shopping ID Protection Tips:
- Online Security Protection: As a starting point, make sure you have comprehensive online security protection including the latest versions of security software, anti-virus software, anti-spyware, firewalls, etc.
- Limit the number of credit cards you use: As stated above, the less information you put out there, the less chance you have of being exposed and having it stolen.
- Only deal with secure websites: Check for online security seals to make sure you are dealing with a reputable company.
- Beware of phishing scams: Beware of emails pretending to be legitimate companies requesting personal financial information. The best practice is to stay away from them entirely.
The holidays are upon us and there is shopping to be done, especially on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Get out there, take advantage of all those great Black Friday 2009 deals and stimulate the suffering economy. However, in the process, be careful and take the steps necessary to protect your ID so you don't become a victim this holiday season.
Written by Gabriel Dorman
Los Angeles, California
gabedorman@gmail.com
www.criminaldefenseduilawyer.com/blog/
Exclusively for HULIQ.com
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