Security Risks During the Holidays

For many, the Holiday Season inspires sharing and good cheer. However, this is also a great time for thieves to take advantage of the merriment and make their move. People are busy buying gifts, dining out, going to parties and having a good time that they seldom focus notice the modus operandi of this people.  With Christmas here and New Year’s around the corner, you should be extra careful about these risks.

Watch Out for These Threats During the Holiday Season

To keep yourself informed and protected, here are some of the most common security risks you need to watch out for this Holiday Season.

Protect Your Personal Data

It’s important to be discreet when giving away your personal data, so no one other than those you want to give it to has access to it. Check your surroundings before typing in your pin when at an ATM. Don’t randomly give out or save your credit card details in sites that you’ve never used before or suddenly seem iffy to you. You also need to be wary of surveys that are conducted during this season. Some of them are fraudulent and are only after the personal details.  If someone comes to your home asking these questions, be wary.  Don’t give out information and don’t leave your information unattended.

Always Check Your Statements

Because you’re buying a lot of things during the holidays, it can be hard to keep track of your spending. This is the time when you need to sit yourself down and do exactly that. Check every transaction you’ve made and make sure it checks out. If you don’t remember making certain purchases, call your bank immediately.

Be Wary of “Too Good Deals”

Just because most stores have good discounts or giveaways this Christmas doesn’t mean there aren’t any fraudulent ones. In fact, this is a great time to go under the radar and take advantage of the hype to trick people into paying a hundred dollars for a trip they supposedly won or some other version of the same trick.

Train Your Staff

If you have a brick and mortar store, it’s important to remind your staff to be extra safe and vigilant this year. Watch out for thieves quietly snatching the wallets of your customers or taking a photo of their card information. The more they’re aware of what can happen, the more helpful they can be.

Prioritize Security

Whether you need to add more cameras, build a security fence or hire security staff, do what it takes to keep your business, home or community safe. They don’t have to be big measures to work.  Just make sure they are aligned with what you have to protect.

Sources:

http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2016/11/25/5-most-common-types-of-holiday-theft