The Allstate Blog » Identity Theft and Restoration

Tips on Moving Your Small Business Safely Into ‘The Cloud’

Pauline Hammerbeck — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:26 +0000

As you upgrade your company's software programs, or chat with clients who are the least bit techy, you probably keep hearing about "moving into the cloud." But what is the cloud? And how can you use this new tech trend effectively - and safely - in your business? Here's the lowdown on this lofty-sounding development.

What is the cloud?

Cloud computing generally means accessing computer files or software programs from a computer server that's not in your physical office. (You access it through an online connection). The server can be in an urban warehouse not far from you, or it could be thousands of miles across the country. If you think about it, very basic services -- like your Gmail or Facebook account -- are cloud-based. You can access them from any computer at any time. But the term "the cloud" only really gained prominence when popular file storage services like Dropbox, Amazon Cloud Drive and Box arrived on the scene; these services let you store documents, photos, movies, scanned items, etc., on a remote server network - "the cloud" - rather than the hard drive of your computer or a server in your office. Over time, the cloud concept has been integrated into software programs, too.

Information anywhere, from any screen.

So, what's so great about the cloud? Sharing company documents in a cloud-based program like Dropbox means your team can easily access them -- even while traveling. Cloud programs are also ideal for small business owners who often work from mobile devices, because you can access your information from home, a hotel or anywhere you go. Another advantage is that the information you access and store on the cloud is automatically backed up. So, if your hard drive crashes, you still have a backup of all your files. Cloud-based software is also popping up for every business need you can imagine: accounting (Quickbooks, Freshbooks), billing (Bill.com), general productivity (Microsoft Office 365) and even conference calls (Speek.com). Instead of investing in new software licenses or additional personnel, you can add capabilities or capacity by subscribing or paying per-use to a cloud-based version. The cloud can also become part of your small business disaster planning, by letting you back up important files on the remove server in the cloud. In case of an emergency, you'll be able to access critical data anywhere -- from your mobile device or from a borrowed computer in a makeshift office (as long as your cloud provider is unaffected, of course; you should also consider backing up to an external hard drive in your office. That way, you have access to your data, even if your Internet connection -- or that of your cloud provider -- is temporarily down ).

Security smarts.

Of course, not everyone is entirely comfortable storing files in the cloud. After all, security breaches do happen. That's why, for starters, it's important to entrust your cloud-based business to well-known companies, and to learn about their security measures. Do they transmit and store data with at least 128-bit encryption (the industry standard)? Do they perform regular third-party audits to ensure that their systems are safe and up to date? Here are some additional tips from IDentityTheft 911 that may help protect your data in the cloud:

Read the terms of service and privacy policy of a provider before placing any information in the cloud. Pay close attention if the cloud provider reserves rights to use or disclose your information, or make it public. If you don’t understand the policies, consider using a different cloud provider.
Don’t put anything in the cloud that you wouldn't want others to see (especially the government or a private litigant).
Know exactly what happens when you remove your data from the cloud provider. Does the cloud provider still retain rights to your information? If so, consider whether that makes a difference to you.
Make sure that the cloud provider gives advance notice of any change in the terms of service or privacy policy.

Another good protective measure? Make sure your business insurance has data protection coverage, which may help with the financial and legal burden in the event that personal data held by your business in the cloud is ever compromised. Recommended by the editors:

Stop Electronic Identity Theft: 5 Steps You Can Take Now to Protect Your Digital Life

Melissa — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:00:29 +0000

One of my favorite things to do is to grab my laptop, walk to the coffee shop down the street from my apartment building, grab a table and sip some cappuccino while perusing Pinterest. One evening last week, I was getting ready to leave the coffee shop when a friend walked in. We started chatting, I got distracted, and when I finally left, I grabbed my purse -- but not my laptop bag. I realized this when I was about two blocks away from the coffee shop, so I sprinted back. As I ran, I was thinking furiously of all the information on that computer -- my irreplaceable vacation photos, financial software with my checking account records, all my passwords. When I burst back into the shop I found that luckily, an honest customer had given my laptop to the barista, and my information was safe. Phew! But, what if someone with less moral character had come across my laptop? I started looking into what criminals can do with your personal data and realized I was lucky I hadn't become an identity theft victim. Scam artists often use stolen personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, PINs and other sensitive details -- much of which was stored on my laptop -- to commit various types of fraud, from taking out credit cards in a victim's name to fraudulently using a stolen identity to get a job. According to a report by Javelin Strategy and Research, in 2011, about 28 million Americans became identity theft victims. So, I learned some ways to help protect my digital life. One strategy is to put extra security layers in place. For example, back up your personal files to both an external hard drive and a paid cloud storage provider – should something happen to either copy, you will have a duplicate. Stronger passwords and data encryption are also important. If you're like me, and you haven't really thought much about your digital security, there are some steps you may want to consider. Here are five things you can do right now to help stay safe: Get security software that updates automatically. As the efforts to outmaneuver identity thieves evolve, so do the thieves' tactics. OnGuardOnline.gov says one way to combat this is to make sure that the security software, operating system and browsers on your computer are up-to-date. You can usually set these programs to update automatically. Set up an external drive for data storage. OnGuardOnline.gov suggests backing your computer data with an external hard drive. You may also want to consider printing off your most important files, such as financial documents and family photos, so if your digital copies are compromised, you'll have hard copies. Store the drive or hard copies in a fireproof safe or emergency kit. Put it in the cloud. Like your laptop, computer or smartphone, external hard drives are vulnerable to fire, flood or theft. PCMag.com suggests backing up your data to an online data storage server, also known as keeping it "in the cloud" -- which means that it is protected no matter what happens to your home. A paid storage provider will archive all your files, which you can access via a user-friendly website. Not all cloud storage providers offer the same services, and not all are both Mac- and PC-friendly, so you'll want to evaluate your specific needs when researching cloud storage providers. Strengthen your passwords. Never use the same password for more than one account login. Be creative with your passwords. The Federal Trade Commission suggests thinking of a phrase or word and then substituting numbers and symbols for some of the letters. Encrypt your data. Guard online transactions by using an encrypted, secure connection. Not sure if a site is encrypted? Check your browser’s status bar. A “lock” symbol means that your data can be safely exchanged. The FTC also warns that you should be careful when using public wireless (WiFi) networks; an unsecured network means anyone can see what data you send and receive (unless you are visiting an encrypted website). Save personal financial transactions, like checking a bank account balance, for secure networks. My brief panic about my lost laptop has made me want to take measures to protect my information. Hopefully, you'll learn from my mistake and plan ahead to keep your digital life safe from identity thieves.

Stump the Identity Thief: 7 Tips to Create a Strong Password

Melissa — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:00:12 +0000

According to the Internal Revenue Service, identity theft and credit card fraud are growing global concerns. From phishing scams to sophisticated hacking rings, cyber thieves continue to develop creative ways to compromise your personal information. Internet security can be tenuous and, at times, easily breached, and both the IRS and Federal Trade Commission recommend you safeguard your personal information with a strong password. Here are seven password tips that will help you stump an identity thief and keep your information and financial accounts protected. 1. Don't use your dog's name. The IRS suggests that you refrain from using any personal information in your password. That includes Social Security numbers, maiden names, birthdays, anniversaries, the names of children, pets, or anything else that can be guessed, researched or discovered by a hacker. 2. Make them hunt through the "haystack." Steve Gibson, security expert and president of Gibson Research, suggests using a password that is long and contains upper-case and lower-case letters and special characters. Using various types of characters in a long password increases the number of combinations a hacker has to try in order to crack your password. Gibson likens these attempts to figure out your password to finding a needle in a haystack; so, to hide that needle, you should use more characters, and characters of different types, to make the "haystack" larger. 3. Old passwords = vulnerable. According to the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (USCERT), it’s a good idea to change your password on a regular basis, especially after accessing accounts via a public computer. If you keep the same password to a certain website for many years, identity thieves have that much more opportunity to decode it. A rule of thumb is to change your password every 45 days. It's especially important to change your password after using it on a public computer, because browsers on public computers can, in some cases, store your passwords, making them vulnerable to theft. 4. Try a pass phrase. If you feel your memory is sharp, then consider creating a pass phrase. A pass phrase is a long string of unrelated letters, numbers and punctuation marks. While a pass phrase can be difficult for a user to remember, this type of password is also very difficult to crack. 5. Use a sentence. If you don't think you're going to be able to remember a cryptic string of characters, one idea is to think of your password as a sentence and then use the first letter of every word, mixing in caps and lower-case letters and a few numbers that you can remember, as the actual password. 6. Memorize all passwords. Do not store the information in a wallet, in a purse or on a cellphone. If you need to write the password down, be sure it’s stored in a secure location. 7. Do not use the same password for work and personal accounts. In fact, the USCERT recommends that you use a different password for each website account you access. That way, if one of these passwords becomes compromised, the thief will not have access to a second account. While identity theft and credit card fraud are a risk, you don't need to feel vulnerable or unprotected. Use these seven tips to create a strong password, and you'll not only stand a better chance of stumping an identity thief, but you could also give yourself greater peace of mind when it comes to Internet security.

5 Tips to Protect Your Identity at Tax Time

Melissa — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:23 +0000

Whether you owe money or are expecting a refund, preparing your tax return on your own or hiring a professional, tax time can be, well, taxing. The last thing you probably want to worry about is identity thieves tapping into your financial accounts, opening new lines of credit or committing other types of theft or fraud. But according to Identity Theft 911, tax season is a prime opportunity for identity thieves. W-2s and other Internal Revenue Service tax forms contain a wealth of information--everything from Social Security numbers to financial account information--that can be a target for resourceful criminals. Protecting your identity, however, doesn't have to be difficult. Follow these simple steps to help safeguard your personal information from hackers and identity thieves during tax season. 1. Be vigilant with your information online. According to the IRS, impersonation schemes thrive during tax season. This is when thieves claiming to represent the IRS send emails, make phone calls or send traditional mail in an attempt to steal people's Social Security numbers or other sensitive personal information. However, it's important to remember that the IRS says it does not contact people by email or social media, so, if you're the recipient of any electronic messages, you should know that they are fraudulent. If you suspect that a piece of mail you’ve received is part of a scam, you can visit IRS.gov for information on how to determine whether it is authentic. 2. Keep an eye on your mailbox. While cyber-crime has become many thieves’ preferred method of obtaining personal information, it's still important to closely monitor your mailbox. All official tax forms are delivered by mail, and some thieves find it easier to simply open someone's mailbox and steal their forms than figure out Internet passwords in order to reap personal information. 3. Leave your Social Security card at home. According to the IRS, you should not, at any time, carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse. The card should be kept in a safe place, preferably in a safe-deposit box or another secure location. If your Social Security card is in your wallet and your wallet is stolen, then it’s possible your personal information can fall into the hands of identity thieves. With your Social Security number, a thief can compromise your bank account and open new lines of credit. 4. Be crafty with your password. Refunds from electronically filed tax returns are typically direct-deposited into financial accounts, which can help protect a refund check from being stolen from your mailbox. However, if you e-file, you need to know how to do so safely. One way to protect yourself is by creating a strong user password on the website through which you file your tax return. To ensure Internet security, incorporate a series of numbers, letters and punctuation marks into your password. 5. Know your tax preparer. Fraud rings have been known to front as tax preparation centers. Scam artists prey on the unsuspecting customers of these centers, stealing personal information and sometimes redirecting their tax refunds. According to Forbes, there have also been instances when a corrupt tax preparer has sold a client's information to a criminal, who then used the information to file for a fraudulent tax return. The bottom line? It's a good idea to research your tax preparer or accountant and make sure he or she is legitimate and ethical. In addition to taking steps to thwart tax-time identity thieves, you may also want to consider purchasing identity theft restoration coverage, which can alert you to potential fraud and help you repair any damage to your identity in case you do become a victim.

Protecting Online Identity is Growing in Importance

Brendan — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:06:34 +0000

What would you do if you sat down for a job interview and a potential employer asked for your Facebook login details? It might sound like an unlikely scenario, but there are already reports of it happening. Given how large a role online identity has come to play in our lives, protecting that identity is more important than ever. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, one of the richest men in the world, was a recent high profile victim of identity theft. Oprah Winfrey and Paris Hilton are among the many celebrities who have been targeted in similar scams. Solutions like Allstate's Identity Restoration coverage are on hand for anyone who has already fallen prey to an identity thief. But with threats coming at us from all angles, and even young children being targeted, what can be done to prevent such cases from occurring?

Social Security

LifeLock CEO Todd Davis was convinced his company could safeguard against identity theft. In fact, Davis was so sure of LifeLock’s cast-iron promises that he publicized his real Social Security number in the company's ads, ultimately becoming a victim himself many times over.

In 2011, software attacks on Android phones rose by 472 percent, often coming from rogue apps.

With threats coming at us from all angles, and even young children being targeted, what can be done to prevent such cases from occurring? Davis's case is extreme, but parents should be alert when it comes to their children's identities. An NBC news story reported a teenager was $750,000 in debt due to the actions of identity thieves. What can be done? The Identity Theft Resource Center is a good place to start—see their instructions here on how to receive a child's credit report. AllClearID.com is another valuable resource for helping parents with similar concerns. If you suspect your own Social Security number has been stolen, start by reading these useful tips on what to do from the Social Security Administration. Make sure you lodge a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and get in touch with the police to file a report.

E-mail and Social Networking

Social networks can also serve as entry points for identity hackers. According to NBC Los Angeles, in 2008 Diane Solomon got an alert from a neighbor saying that Solomon had been in touch via Facebook, asking for money. Solomon didn't have a Facebook account, but someone had hacked into her e-mail and set up a Facebook account through it. How often do you change your e-mail password? How many times do you re-use the same password on different sites? Use upper and lower case letters. Use symbols. Use numbers. Preferably a combination of all those things - yes, it's a pain in the neck, but it's important. Hackers can run programs to guess your password, often unloading a cavalcade of spam if they gain access. As a general rule, the less information about you is publicly available online, the safer your identity will be. As for potential employers asking you for Facebook and Twitter log-ins — the legality of that is still being hotly debated. Maryland is seeking to be the first state to ban the practice, according to NPR. Several U.S. Senators have asked the Justice Department to investigate whether the practice violates federal law. In the unlikely event that it happens - and in the absence of concrete legal answers - be diplomatic. Facebook itself has told users not to give out their passwords to employers or anyone else, calling it a violation of the company's Terms of Service, and you can tell nosy prospective employers - politely - that you do not feel comfortable violating those terms. Given the potential lawsuits surrounding this practice, if you do find yourself in this situation, you may want to consult a lawyer. Of course, keeping your Facebook page free of embarrassing, illegal, or deeply personal information is always a good strategy, whether or not you ever intend to show it to an employer. You should also check your privacy settings to make sure very little of your account is pubic, since that information can also be used by identity thieves.

Protect Your Apps

A burgeoning threat comes from handheld devices. In 2011, software attacks on Android phones rose by 472 percent, often coming from rogue apps. The apps appear innocuous, even gaining fake rave reviews in the Android marketplace. But once a phone is infected, the user may suddenly find themselves running up a huge bill after texts start flying out to premium rate services. Google has taken steps to eliminate the problem, but it's unlikely to go away entirely. Thankfully, a number of anti-virus apps help counter the problem, with AVG among the companies offering protection against personal data theft and messaging scams. Lookout Security & Antivirus is another popular virus-busting app. But the best way to protect your phone is to stick to well-established apps from reputable companies. As this Extreme Tech article points out, sometimes the anti-virus apps are as unreliable as the ones that caused the problem in the first place. Have you been a victim of identity theft? What tips would you offer to anyone looking to protect their digital identity?

April Fools: World’s Most Unsuccessful Criminals

Jen — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:09:44 +0000

Have you ever read a news story about crime and found yourself shaking your head in disbelief? Do you ever hear of a sentence handed down from a court and wish they’d just throw the book at him? After all, criminals don’t just cost their victims heartache and money, they increase costs for all of us by making products more expensive than they might be otherwise. It may make you feel better to know that some criminals do a better job punishing themselves than a rusty, medieval device ever could. These are people who are just not happy being anonymous, so they leave a trail of bread crumbs to ensure their brilliance is appreciated. Here are a handful of recent examples: Burglarize a cop’s home, gain unwanted attention – Some criminals focus on targets of opportunity, like the elderly, while others consider that just plain unsporting. But when you break into a cop’s house and said cop arrives home while you’re there, you won’t get away clean or easy. The police officer held one of the burglars inside his Kansas City home, but the two others fled. The officer's call for help brought a surge of law enforcement resources into the neighborhood, where all three men were taken into custody.They'll certainly think twice now before pilfering a police officer’s place. Social Media Gone Wrong – Aren’t people who feel they need to wish the Facebook community “good morning” every day annoying? Save status updates for the truly important things! A robber in New York City announced his intentions 45 minutes prior to robbing a bank, and changed his online name to that of his idol, the notorious bank robber Willie Sutton. To make sure all his friends knew about his latest “achievement,” he posted pictures of himself holding a wad of hundred dollar bills – the proceeds of his heists. Don’t steal on an empty stomach – Apparently, even thieves need to refuel. One would think to grab a granola bar along with that big-screen TV – anything that can be eaten on the go – but this robber had a taste for something a little more savory: bacon. While he was frying up the tasty treat, the rightful homeowner returned and caught the burglar’s Top Chef performance. We’re pretty sure the bacon was confiscated as evidence, though it probably disappeared by lunchtime. “False alarm, ignore our drugs!” – Even criminals hate being victims of crime, so one couple made sure to equip their drug house with a burglar alarm. Too bad the alarm was accidentally tripped, causing the police to investigate. When officers entered the unlocked residence to check for a prowler, they made an even bigger bust. The owners had left their marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia in plain view and were arrested and charged. One horse getaway – When you see a reckless driver, you get the license plate and phone the police, right? But what if it’s a buggy with only an orange reflective triangle on the back? Police in Leon, N.Y. chased an Amish teen who ran a stop sign, but the Victorian-era horse carriage was no match for a 250-horse Crown Victoria. The teen flipped the buggy over into a ditch and was charged with – among other offenses – underage possession of alcohol and over-driving an animal. It’s frustrating to know that everybody has to spend more due to criminal activity: More in taxes to support crime fighting, higher prices for goods we need and greater insurance premiums. At the same time, it’s good to know that your insurance helps protect you from the anarchy of the aftermath created by the bad guys, and every once in a while, the criminals provide us with a good laugh.

‘Black Friday’ Shopping Safety Tips

Brendan — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:20:58 +0000

Keep an eye on your wallet this week as you scour store sales for great discounts this holiday season. Black Friday marks the kick-off for holiday shopping, and with it, an increase in identity theft.

Identity theft occurs when someone "steals" your identity in the form of a credit card, social security number or debit PIN, and then uses this information for personal gain. Many people mistakenly believe that identity theft is only a problem when shopping online. In reality, identity theft is much more likely to happen in the "real world," especially at a crowded shopping mall. Unfortunately, in the rush to score seasonal discounts, holiday shoppers may be putting their financial security at risk. Here's how to guard against identity theft and enhance your holiday shopping safety.

Credit Card Skimming

In the rush to hire seasonal help, some stores end up with unscrupulous part-time employees who take advantage of holiday shoppers and steal credit information. When a salesperson swipes your credit card through a card reader, this reader can capture your card's magnetic information, allowing the data to be used for fraudulent purchases. Protect Yourself: Whenever possible, swipe your own credit card and never let your card out of your sight. Only use one card for holiday shopping; this will make it easier to scrutinize your billing statement and check for identity theft. Federal law limits your liability to $50 for any charges disputed within 60 days. You can also use a prepaid card and limit any potential loss to the amount of money you have on the card; this way you won't have the added holiday headache of disputing charges with your credit card company.

Debit Card Skimming

Even with PIN codes, debit cards are not always a safe alternative to credit cards. The next time you're making a debit purchase, take a closer look at the stranger in line behind you. In fact, that stranger may not be making a purchase at all—he may simply be "shoulder surfing" to gain access to your PIN. Protect Yourself: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Watch out for strangers who are getting too close in line behind you. Check for identity theft on your bank statement each day; unlike credit cards, unauthorized debit charges must be disputed within two days, or your liability increases from $50 to $500.

Pickpockets

During the holiday season, your average suburban shopping mall is ground zero for holiday pickpockets. Protect Yourself: Only carry one form of payment and identification; leave the extra credit cards and debit cards at home, and never ever carry your Social Security card with you. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in a crowded mall. Pushing and shoving to grab a coveted toy? When we're distracted, we're vulnerable to pickpockets. Pickpockets often work in teams; watch out for shoppers who bump into you or otherwise create a commotion; while your attention is elsewhere, an accomplice may be grabbing your wallet. Remember, credit card fraud does not just happen on Black Friday. Be a cautious shopper every day of the year to guard against identity theft. Visit Allstate.com for more information about identity theft and Identity Restoration Coverage. Have you been a victim of credit card fraud? Share your story with us below.

Protect Yourself From Identity Theft and Email Fraud

Brendan — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:17:12 +0000

Avoiding email scams isn’t as simple as it used to be. Most people know to delete messages promising lottery winnings or a free iPhone, but what about requests from legitimate businesses? Or links from family and friends? As people gain awareness of the risks of cyber crime, criminals are finding more subtle ways to appeal to consumers and lure them into their online scams. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), online crime has become pervasive throughout the U.S. In 2010, the center received close to 304,000 reports of Internet fraud—its second-highest number in the last 10 years—totaling more than $364 million in losses. And though many Web users associate email fraud with the notorious “Nigerian email scams,” the problem has roots closer to home. In fact, more than 65 percent of IC3’s reported perpetrators resided in the U.S., followed by the U.K. (10.4 percent), Nigeria (5.8 percent) and Canada (2.4 percent), according to its 2010 Internet Crime Report. Despite fraudsters’ increasing sophistication, simple awareness of the scams they employ can help you avoid falling victim to their overzealous promises and all-too-convincing appeals.

Be on the lookout

Unsolicited email, or “spam,” is where most hoaxes start, according to the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), an arm of the U.S. government that responds to and defends against cyber attacks. Here are some top scam types identified by US-CERT:

Fake business opportunities and “get rich quick” schemes – These work by promising you the chance to cash in with minimal effort. Though enticing, these emails and online ads lack detail about the supposed opportunity and provide links where you can learn more—after, of course, entering your credit card information.
Health and diet scams – Schemes like these prey on consumers’ insecurities by offering weight-loss products at special low prices. However, the promised products are usually bogus or never arrive.
Phishing scams –Fraudsters use these to trick users into entering personal information on fake Web sites. Emails are forged to look like they’re from banks or other organizations users may actually have contact with.
Trojan horse emails - These seemingly harmless emails, which often appear to come from family members and friends, implore users to open attachments or programs that give external hackers access to their personal files.

In addition, many fraudsters use old-fashioned hacking to force their way into your email. Once inside your account, they can search for financial information and sensitive data—and forward their scams to the contacts in your address book.

Staying safe

With all of these cyber threats out there, it’s important to protect your personal and financial assets on the Web. Though con artists are experts at creating believable frauds and hacks that are tough to detect, there are several steps you can take to keep your information secure:

Make sure your web browser is up to date. Browser developers work hard to respond quickly to new hacks and scams—so take advantage of their expertise.
Create passwords that include numbers and special characters, such as #, & and *, to make your email account more secure.
Avoid making purchases on public networks, such as coffee shop hotspots. These are less secure than private networks and provide a wealth of opportunities for hackers.
Read the fine print in emails you receive. Review all promises and claims carefully and resist the urge to act immediately on special offers.
In times of crisis, research any charity seeking your financial assistance. Fraudsters have used recent natural disasters, such as the 2010 earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, to scam do-gooders out of intended donations.

Being proactive against these scams will help you avoid identity theft and bring you one step closer to keeping your personal information secure. To report spam, you can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

Preventing a Theft or Loss from Ruining a Vacation

Brendan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:09:56 +0000

Going to a new place on vacation can be an adventure. But the adventure could become a nightmare. The theft or loss of luggage, documents, credit cards, or money can cause problems and delays and pile on extra costs. Although preparing for your trip in advance cant guarantee that you wont have a problem, it can help keep problems from ruining your vacation.

Stopping Theft Before It Happens

Splitting credit cards, travelers checks, and cash with a traveling companion can help prevent a thief from stealing all your financial resources. Wallets, tickets, and credit cards shouldnt be left in hotel rooms or carried in a purse or small piece of luggage. Purses and small bags can easily be stolen in crowded public places, such as train stations and airports.

Emergency Information

If you do experience a theft or loss when youre on vacation, having a list of essential information can help prevent additional problems. Items to consider for your list include:

Phone numbers of relatives, friends, travel agent, insurance agent, lawyer, doctor, or anyone else you may need to contact quickly.
The addresses, phone numbers, and dates of your complete itinerary in case you have to rearrange or call ahead because of a delay.
The numbers of your travelers checks, credit cards (including telephone credit cards), and health insurance policy. Travelers check and credit card information should be carried separately from the checks and cards.
Details about any prescription medicines youre carrying on the trip.

Back-up Money

Any emergency is likely to cost extra money while youre sorting things out. If the emergency is the loss of your wallet and credit cards, youll need back-up funds, which should be kept in a separate, secure place. That back-up can be extra travelers checks and/or a different credit card to carry you through the trip if you lose your other cards. Ideally, the card should be one that can be used for withdrawing cash from ATMs where youll be traveling.

Travel Insurance

A comprehensive travel insurance policy might help provide emergency help replacing lost baggage, tickets, documents, and cash through a 24-hour emergency hotline. Other coverage might include trip cancellation or interruption insurance, medical assistance, legal assistance, emergency evacuation, and accidental death and dismemberment benefits.

Some credit cards include this coverage as a standard or optional feature. The cost and breadth of travel insurance varies greatly depending on the trip specifics and the options selected.

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