Security Whip

I came across an article in the New York Times that states hackers are pretty much having their way with hotels computer systems.  According to the article, the hotel industry is responsible for 38% of all hacking incidents.  Human error may also be a contributing factor to such a high percentage, but if that number is even somewhat close to being accurate it represents a real security threat for travelers.

So what can you do to protect your credit card while traveling?

• Just take one credit card with you when traveling
• Be aware of your surroundings when using it
• Keep an eye on your card at all times, especially when giving it to others e.g. wait staff, hotel employees
• Don’t use it for debit transactions if you can help it
• Check your transactions by phone while traveling
• Double check your card after it’s returned to you after a purchase, make sure its yours
• Ensure your credit cards are in a secure location, which might not be a purse or your wallet
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately
• Ensure your credit card has been signed
• Be before you head off on your trip make a list of the credit card numbers and the credit card company phone numbers and place this list somewhere other than your wallet or purse

A trick I picked up while traveling internationally to protect my credit cards, was to carry a dummy wallet on me.  I put three or four “faux” credit cards in my wallet, the ones the credit card companies send you in the mail and a few one-dollar bills. I would keep the dummy wallet in my back pocket like normal and placed the real credit cards, ID and cash in my front pockets.  If I ever got robbed I would compliantly and graciously hand the bad guy the fake wallet out of my back pocket.

Credit Card Hackers Visit Hotels All Too Often [The New York Times via Lifehacker]

Thanks

Security Guy

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