BankThink

Risk of ID Theft Increases During Travel

Maybe it's better to leave home without it — people are at a greater risk of identity theft when they travel, USA Today reported Monday.

Part of the reason for this heightened risk is that travelers bring with them laptops and other mobile devices that are loaded with sensitive information, the article said. Even when the devices aren't lost, they may inadvertently be connected to unsecured wireless networks at airports and hotels, making them vulnerable.

The USA Today article quotes experts who suggest clearing out wallets of excess identity or payment cards before a trip. Social Security cards can stay at home, for example. Others suggest connecting to a secure virtual private network or using one-time password tokens to better protect sensitive data.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER