Travel Smarter: Protect Your Finances and Identity

Before you pack your bags, make sure your finances and identity are protected. Traveling, whether for business or leisure, can leave you vulnerable to theft, fraud, and data breaches. Here are key tips to help you travel smarter and safer:

Before You Go:

• Limit What You Carry: Leave checkbooks, extra credit cards, and your Social Security card at home. Take only what’s necessary.
• Pay Your Bills: Make sure to pay your bills before you leave so you don’t have to worry about it and so you can avoid logging into your accounts and leaking personal information on public networks.
• Use Credit Over Debit: Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards.
• Secure Your Home: Pause mail and deliveries and ask a neighbor to keep an eye out. Make your home appear lived-in while you’re away.
• Find a Trustworthy House Sitter: Find a trustworthy family or friend to check your house while you are away. Make sure to give them a key and a list of items that you would like them to do. Lockup any important documents or valuables before you give them access.
• Store Docs Digitally: Scan and upload copies of passports, IDs, and itineraries to a secure cloud location in case originals are lost or stolen.
• Register With STEP: If traveling internationally, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get important updates and access to local U.S. embassies.

While Traveling:

• Protect Valuables: Use hotel safes for sensitive documents and electronics. Don’t leave them out or in your car.
• Watch Out for ATM Scams: Use ATMs only in secure, well-lit areas preferably inside banks. Avoid standalone machines in high-traffic tourist spots, which can be targets for skimming devices that steal your card data. Always shield your PIN as you enter it.
• Carry Valuables Safely: Use a money belt kept under clothing for extra safety for storing cash, credit cards, and identification. Inside pockets, zipper pockets, and sturdy shoulder bags with straps across the chest are much better than handbags, fanny packs, or outside pockets.
• Beware of Pickpocketing and Shoulder Surfers: Be extra vigilant around tourist attractions, public transportation, restaurants, bars, and hotel lobbies as these are common areas for pickpocketing. Sholder surfers are people who will look over your shoulder to see or hear your information that can be used for scamming and stealing.
• Avoid Public WiFi and Computers for Banking: If possible, avoid using public computers in general and be cautious using public WiFi. Don’t log into financial accounts or anything sensitive on public networks or computers as there could potentially have malware that can capture your information that you enter. Use encrypted internet connection when you go online.
• Stay Social Media Savvy: Sharing your location online can let thieves know you’re not home. Wait until you return home to post on social media.

Lost Your Card or ID? Have a plan. Keep a list of emergency numbers and photocopies of your cards and travel documents stored separately. Contact Security First Bank if you think your card is stolen or lost as we can help prevent scams and fraud from happening.

Safe travels start with smart planning. Whether you’re across the globe or across the state, we’re here to help protect what matters most and give you a financial peace of mind.