'Tis the Season to Protect Your Identity: Part 1
In late November I was taking advantage of a little pre-Black Friday sale at the mall when I encountered the ultimate shoppers’ dilemma. I found the cutest camel-colored cape-style sweater, perfect for an upcoming holiday party. Unfortunately, they didn’t have my size on the rack. A quick check with the clerk revealed that their California location had one in my size; would I like to have her get it for me and call me when it came in? Would I ever!
The process to secure this sweater, along with the accompanying pre-sale discount, was interesting. First, they couldn’t ring up the sale because it was a pre-sale. It meant I could shop, put items on hold, and then pick them up at the sales price once the sale started. But since my dreamy sweater was in California, rather than Washington State, it had to be shipped. And it couldn’t be shipped until it was sold. And it couldn’t be sold until the sale started because it was in California. And it couldn’t be put on hold from Washington State.
If you’re confused, trust me, I was too. I usually buy my clothes from online discount shops and cross my fingers that they fit.
The clerk, truly a helpful lady with a great attitude, said it sounded more complex than it was. All she needed were my financial vitals: Name, Address (both billing and shipping), my credit card number, the expiration date and my 3 digit security code on the back of the card. I regularly give up this info when shopping online, so those questions weren’t inappropriate.
What did seem a bit inappropriate, however, was that she wrote all of this down on a scrap of paper from her receipt machine, set it down on the counter, and told me she’d be in touch when it arrived. Then she turned to the back up of customers waiting for her help as that scrap of paper settled into the mass of hangers and plastic bags scattered across the desk.
I got her attention and pointed to my information on the counter. She gasped when she saw where she’d left it. She apologized profusely and shared their procedures for avoiding incidents like this. She assured me it was an accident, down to the crazy pace of the start of the holiday season.
But this incident sums up holiday shopping pretty neatly. We’re in a rush. We’re standing in line. It’s tiring. If you have kids with you, it’s twice as hard. The people waiting on us are doing their very best to hurry us out of there. When emotions run high on both sides of the counter, mistakes are bound to happen.
The best way to make sure that our holiday shopping doesn’t compromise our personal financial security is to limit our vulnerability.
LIMIT THE PLASTIC
How many cards will you actually be using during this shopping trip? Take as few as you possibly can. In the event your wallet or purse is lost or stolen you have fewer points of vulnerability to an identity thief.
DESIGNATED CARDS
Because we use our cards so frequently at this time of year it can be tricky to spot an unauthorized use. Consider designating one card for holiday shopping when you hit the stores, perhaps another for your online shopping. In the event that your card is used without your permission it will be easier to pinpoint where the security breach occurred.
ASK AND WATCH
Are you or making a transaction where the clerk is keeping your information on file? Ask why they need the information, and ask where they’ll be keeping it. Once they’ve taken the information down, watch to see that it’s hidden from the eyes of other customers. Even if you just step aside and pretend to rummage through a bag, make sure you see that your information is put safely away before you leave the counter.
ESTABLISH A SYSTEM
Make sure your credit and debit cards leave the store with you. People regularly leave their cards behind during the holiday season because we’re in a rush. Conduct your transactions the same way every time you shop by developing a payment ritual that includes putting your card in the same place every time you make a purchase, and double checking that place before you leave the counter.
Comments
Sorry, comments are closed for this article.
