During this holiday season, many people are already thinking about the places they want to travel to.
However, before leaving home, it is important to protect yourself against scams while you are out. In the midst of preparations, protecting personal information is very important.
Nowadays, you have to know some secrets on how to be a cautious tourist, because in the middle of the fun, you can let your guard down and expose your personal data.
Multiple consumer protection agencies are raising the alarm about new strategies that scammers are using to steal your money.
William Pelaez, a frequent traveler, takes certain measures.
“To protect my personal data I have it here, in my wallet. Always,” says Pelaez, who has traveled to many countries. “I am very careful and I am always checking to see if I have my passport, my phone and all the documents here well protected.”
But, in addition to the physical risks of theft of documents and personal items, there is the virtual risk.
Just because you’re going on vacation doesn’t mean scammers and criminals are getting time off,” says Eva Velasquez, president of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).
Therefore, it highlights that even if you carry your documents and physical personal items, there are other ways for your identity to be stolen.
Velasquez recommends that to protect themselves, travelers should do the following before their vacation:
- Update mobile devices
- Turn off automatic wifi or internet connection
- Do not use public USB stations to charge devices
- Directly connect devices to an electrical outlet
- Do not expose yourself too much, making financial transactions in an airport or public place
- Use multi-factor authentication methods offered by banking institutions.
If the trip is international, it is advisable to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on the phone. These services protect digital identity and personal data when searching or transacting.
It is also important to remember to cover the screen when entering the password to unlock the device or open an account, since someone could be watching without the traveler realizing it.
