Articles Tagged with identity theft

Today, identity theft is a realer threat than ever before. After Target’s recent data breach sent hordes of consumers into a frenzied panic, people quickly shed the “it will never happen to me” attitude. One of the largest data hacks in American history, the breach lasted nearly three weeks and covered the busiest shopping time of the year: Black Friday through Christmastime. Over the course of that time, the credit and debit card information of over 40 million shoppers was compromised. The imminence and severity of this threat necessitates that all consumers fully understand identity theft and how to prevent it. Therefore, we’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions to help you take measures to protect yourself.

How Are Identities Stolen?

Identities are stolen in plenty of ways. The following are the more common ways in which scam artists have been known to steal private information:

The holiday season is a busy time for all, especially shoppers as they scourge the shelves for the best deals in sight. But with all the commotion in the store, it can be easy to forget the dangers outside.

This holiday season, don’t become a victim. Use our SMART tips for safe holiday shopping to avoid becoming the target of a potential crime.

S – Shop with a friend or family member, preferably during the daytime. Traveling with another increases your awareness while reducing the opportunity for a criminal. Less visibility makes nighttime shopping a dangerous activity.