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AARP Idaho Provides Simple Tips to Protect Your Credit During Holiday Season

The last minute shopping rush is on and identity thieves are banking on consumers being careless, especially in making on-line purchases with credit cards. As on-line holiday purchases have just passed the $10 million mark, cyber criminals are taking note and increasingly looking to the internet to help themselves to consumers’ bank accounts and credit.

According to a recent Federal Trade Commission survey, identity theft continues to top the charts for consumer complaints, with 313,982 last year alone - a 21% increase from 2007. In Idaho, over 850 people fell victim to ID theft in 2008, with credit card fraud cited as the top reason.

“Identity theft is on the rise across the nation and right here in Idaho - the holiday shopping season is prime time for identity thieves to strike,” said Jim Wordelman, State Director for AARP in Idaho. “Taking some simple steps can go a long way toward protecting consumers and making sure they aren’t the next victim.”
AARP provides the following tips to help consumers protect their identity and their credit:
Don’t give out your credit card or bank account number over the phone, through the mail or over the Internet until you can confirm that you’re dealing with a legitimate business.

Know who you’re dealing with and what you’re buying: in other words, confirm the online seller’s address and phone number before proceeding with the purchase; read the product’s description closely, especially the fine print, and factor in shipping and handling costs.

Make sure it’s a safe deal: Find out if you can return the items for a full refund, and who pays the shipping costs if you return it.
Make copies of every online transaction: print them and store them in a safe place. It’s very important that you keep a paper trail.

Do not email your financial information, especially credit card numbers, checking account numbers and Social Security numbers.

Store financial information in a safe place at home.

SOURCE AARP Idaho