The holiday season is here, and with it comes the excitement of travel. Whether you’re headed home to see family, jetting off to a cozy ski lodge, or escaping to a tropical beach, your focus should be on making memories—not managing the chaos of identity theft. Cybercriminals love the holidays, and travelers are prime targets for scams. But don’t worry! With a few savvy tips, you can outsmart the bad guys and enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
Use Secure Wi-Fi or Skip It Entirely
We get it—free airport Wi-Fi is tempting. But these open networks can be a playground for hackers. If you must connect, avoid logging into sensitive accounts like email or banking apps. Better yet, use a personal hotspot or invest in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data and browse safely.
Pack Light, Digitally Speaking
Leave unnecessary sensitive documents, like your Social Security card or unused credit cards, at home. Before traveling, clean up your devices: delete apps or files you won’t need and remove saved passwords from browsers. This minimizes the fallout if your device is lost or stolen.
Beware of “Juice Jacking”
Charging stations at airports and public spaces are convenient but risky. Hackers can use compromised USB ports to steal your data or install malware. Bring your own charging cable and wall adapter, or invest in a portable power bank.
Lock Down Your Devices
Enable password protection or biometric locks (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) on all your devices. This layer of security makes it harder for thieves to access your information if a phone, tablet, or laptop is stolen.
Use Credit Cards, Not Debit
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards. If your credit card is compromised, it’s the card issuer’s money on the line—not yours. Use one card exclusively for travel expenses to make monitoring easy.
Stay Alert for Phishing Scams
Scammers know travelers are busy and stressed. Beware of fake emails or texts posing as your airline, hotel, or vacation rental service. Always double-check the sender’s information, and don’t click on links unless you’re sure they’re legit.
Monitoring Your Accounts and Credit
Set up real-time alerts for your bank and credit card accounts to catch suspicious activity quickly. Consider freezing your credit before you travel. This prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without affecting your ability to use existing ones.
Keep a Backup Plan Handy
Make digital and physical copies of your important travel documents, like your passport and itinerary. Store the digital version in a secure cloud service, and keep the physical copies in a separate, secure place.
Educate Your Travel Companions
Are you traveling with kids or a tech-challenged family member? Share these tips with them! A single compromise device can affect the whole group.
Consider Identity Restoration Services
Invest in an identity restoration service, like LibertyID, for extra peace of mind. If the worst happens, these services can help you recover quickly to return to what matters most—enjoying your holiday!
LibertyID Identity Theft Solutions for Individuals, Couples, and Families* provides its subscribers with 360° fully managed identity fraud concierge restoration services. We are experts in resolving all common forms of identity fraud. Our subscribers can also enroll in our Proactive Detection, which monitors and sends alerts when their SSN, Address, Dark Web, criminal record, and credit reports change.
*LibertyID defines an extended family as you, your spouse/partner, your parents and parents-in-law, and your children under the age of 25.