Identity Protection Tips for Summer Travel

Taking a summer vacation? Even though you’re escaping your day-to-day routine, scammers will continue trying to access your sensitive information. Stay protected from identity theft while traveling with these identity protection tips.

Tip #1: Sign Up for Identity Theft Protection

Many companies offer identity theft protection services that can cost hundreds of dollars a year. While the service can be considered priceless since they protect your identity and finances, your credit union can provide the same service at a much lower cost. Alltru’s Premium and Value Checking accounts include identity and fraud protection services. Once you upgrade your account, you just have to enroll in the service. You’ll be protected with up to $10,000 worth of identity fraud expense reimbursement. You can apply to upgrade your account online.

Tip #2: Be Careful Using Public Wi-Fi

While free Wi-Fi is great, the safest option is to not do anything related to finances on public Wi-Fi. This includes avoiding checking your online banking account and making purchases on public Wi-Fi in hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants. Many public Wi-Fi connections are not secure, making it easier for hackers to capture your personal information.

This can be inconvenient, especially while traveling. How will you purchase your theme park passes or pay for your impromptu extra night of vacation?

Instead, turn your Wi-Fi off on your phone and then log in to your account using your cellular data. Your cellular data is significantly more secure and makes it extremely difficult for scammers to access your information.

Tip #3: Safeguard Your Wallet

Some summer destinations are notorious for pickpockets that target tourists. As a matter of fact, you might be safer carrying around your Alltru Credit Card rather than cash because then you’ll be protected from unauthorized use of your card. The Visa Zero Liability policy eliminates consumer liability for fraudulent transactions. If your wallet is lost or stolen while traveling, immediately call us at the credit union to place a fraud alert on your credit card.

If your wallet is lost or stolen during non-business hours, you can still take action to protect your account. We have step-by-step instructions to report your card as lost or stolen through online or mobile banking in this resource in our Learning Center. Remember to log in through your cellular data and not public Wi-Fi.

Tip #4: Schedule Bill Payments

Avoid making bill payments while on vacation. It adds another opportunity for thieves to steal your identity. Plus, who wants to think about their bills on vacation? Use Alltru’s free online Bill Pay to plan and pay your bills ahead of time, before you leave. You can receive, view, and pay bills all in one location and set up email alerts for bill arrivals. Once you are registered for online Bill Pay, you can pay bills from anywhere in the world quickly and easily. It can also help you avoid late payments which could hurt your credit score. Setting up Bill Pay is easy. Check out this resource to learn How to Use Bill Pay.

Tip #5: Protect Travel Documents

Should your credit cards get stolen, having your credit card numbers handy helps banks or card issuers protect your information even faster. You don’t want to just walk around with copies of your credit card numbers in case those are lost or stolen too. Connecting your cards to your phone’s digital wallet is a secure option. Many digital wallet apps require passwords or face ID to access sensitive information. Learn how to set up a digital wallet here.

Also, shred travel documents containing sensitive information after they’re used. Another handy traveling tip is to keep digital copies of your boarding passes or other tickets on your phone. They are easy to access that way and then you can immediately delete them after the trip so that you won’t have to worry about the paper copies getting into the wrong hands while you are traveling.

Tip #6: Make Some Lists

Leaving for a vacation can cause some chaos. Jot down all the financial and security steps you plan to practice before your time. Also include which cards or devices you’re taking on your trip. As you prepare to travel, you can quickly review your list to make sure your finances are kept safe. Here’s an example you can copy and paste into your notes app. Or, screenshot the checklist to your photos.

Financial Security Steps

• Sign up for identity protection through Alltru’s Premium Checking account
• Enroll in IDProtect services
• Turn off Wi-Fi auto-connect on my phone, hubby’s phone, my laptop, and Junior’s tablet
• Set up Bill Pay for mortgage payment and hubby’s credit card bill
• Set up digital wallet for my credit card and hubby’s credit card
• Add digital copies of my passport, hubby’s passport, and Junior’s passport to my phone
• Set up password for my phone

Packing List

• My passport
• Hubby’s passport
• Junior’s passport
• My credit card
• Hubby’s credit card
• My phone
• Hubby’s phone
• My laptop
• Junior’s tablet

Bon Voyage

By incorporating these identity protection tips, you’ll have peace of mind on your summer vacation so that you can focus on enjoying time with family and friends. Remember, we’re here for you if you need us while you’re on your trip.