How to Protect Your Identity When Traveling

You’ve booked your hotel, made dinner reservations and packed your bags. But have you taken the right precautions to protect your identity while traveling? Your identity is one of the most important assets you have, and it’s woven into everything you bring with you on a trip: passport and other IDs, as well as credit cards and personal information. So, it’s no wonder that passport and identity theft are an important concern to many travelers.

The Federal Trade Commission received 3.6 million reports of fraud and identity theft in 2023, and people filed more reports about identity theft than any other kind of complaint. You don’t want to be among the statistics next year. On your next trip, follow these 10 steps to ensure your vacation doesn’t cost you.

Before Your Trip

Alert Your Banks

If you want to protect your credit cards while traveling, be sure to notify your financial institutions of your upcoming trip; they’ll want to know exactly when and where you’re going. If someone buys gas at home while you’re supposed to be in Italy, your bank or credit card provider will know something’s awry. And letting your bank know that you’ll be traveling protects you against your credit card suddenly being declined while you’re abroad.

Request a Mail Hold

An overflowing mailbox can be a tip-off to thieves that you’re out of town. If nobody is regularly picking up your mail for you, then you can rely on the U.S. Postal Service. They can hold your mail for up to 30 days — and that can keep your documents and your identity safe.

Pay Your Bills Early

The last thing you want is to log into your bank account to pay a bill on a questionable Wi-Fi network abroad, where hackers and other bad actors might be able to swipe your data. Plus, don’t you want to enjoy yourself instead? Schedule those payments in advance, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about on vacation.

Hire a House Sitter

Avoid leaving your home completely unattended; a dark, empty house might invite burglars. Ask a family member or friend to stay at your place for a few days to ward off any unwanted attention. Or have a neighbor to check in on your home while you’re away.

While on Vacation

Pay Attention to Your Passport

A passport is a vital document while traveling across national borders. But since it contains a lot of personal information — including your ID number, private details and a picture of you — someone can steal your identity with your passport. To ward off identity theft, learn how to keep your passport safe while traveling.

The best way to carry a passport while traveling is to keep it on your person, ideally in a zippered pouch or money belt that’s concealed; check for it regularly in private; be aware of your surroundings; and, if you don’t want to carry it on your body, consider using the hotel safe. It’s also good practice to make copies of your passport, leaving one at home in a secure place and giving one to an emergency contact. That way, if you lose your ID while traveling, you’ll have backup information that you can use at a consulate or other government agency to help you get home.

Use a VPN

Casually surfing the web at a coffee shop could mean trouble. Public wi-fi is not always secure. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN), which protects your data, like usernames, passwords and more. This is one of the best ways to protect your identity online.

Stick With Bank ATMs

Do your best to avoid that suspect-looking ATM at the bar — it may skim your data. Identify the nearest bank to your hotel or rental so you can get cash quickly and safely.

Lock up Anything Important

If your hotel has a safe, use it. Store extra cash, your passport and any photocopies of identifying information (which are always a good idea when traveling).

Report Loss Immediately

What should you do if you lose your ID while traveling? First of all, if you suspect theft, contact your state’s DMV so they can begin issuing a new one. If you need to fly without an ID, plan to arrive much earlier than usual at the airport so you can complete the TSA’s identity verification process. That may include showing credit cards or utility bills. If you’ve lost your passport, then immediately contact the U.S. State Department and apply for a replacement. Also contact the embassy or consulate in the country, who will help you get what you need to get home safely.

After Your Return

Change Your Passwords

Did you need to access some work files or sign into your email while away? It’s best to change your password just to be safe. These tips can help you create a strong password to protect it from hackers.

Check Your Statements

Now that you’re home and back on your own secure network, inspect your transactions for anything out of the ordinary. If something looks questionable, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately.

Set up Identify Theft Coverage

Don’t wait until you have an identity theft scare. Talk to your local Farm Bureau agent today about Identity Services and Fraud Expense Coverage. This program helps you protect your identity by minimizing your risk, monitoring your exposure and resolving any issues with a dedicated fraud expert.