{"id":104,"date":"2015-12-14T13:05:24","date_gmt":"2015-12-14T18:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forwardmutual.com\/news\/?p=104"},"modified":"2016-06-29T06:23:37","modified_gmt":"2016-06-29T11:23:37","slug":"dont-let-a-grinch-steal-your-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forwardmutual.com\/news\/2015\/12\/dont-let-a-grinch-steal-your-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t let a Grinch Steal Your Identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"No<\/a><\/p>\n

Americans will spend an average of $805 per person this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Eighty percent of those purchases will be made with a credit or debit card making consumers particularly vulnerable to identity theft. Protect yourself from Grinchy hearts that are \u201ctwo sizes too small\u201d and practice safe credit card shopping this year.<\/p>\n

Forward Mutual\u00a0protects you\u00a0from identity theft<\/h2>\n

Our reinsurance company Grinnell Mutual has partnered with Identity Theft 911\u00ae to protect FarMutual\u00ae homeowners and farmowners policyholders at no additional cost. If you fall victim to a credit card thief, expert fraud specialists will act quickly to lock out thieves with a free fraud alert to prevent further damage. You\u2019ll also receive one year of free credit and fraud monitoring, plus follow-up. They won\u2019t stop working until your identity is back in your hands \u2014 permanently.<\/p>\n

Seven tips to safer shopping<\/h2>\n

Even though your homeowner and farmowner insurance\u00a0has you covered, follow these safety tips to save yourself the risk and hassle.<\/p>\n

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  1. Save all receipts and online confirmation numbers.<\/strong> You can use these to monitor your bank account to help detect a purchase you did not make. Check your bank and credit card statements every day for good measure.<\/li>\n
  2. Use credit cards not debit cards.<\/strong> Debit cards are the gateway to your bank or checking account, and credit cards offer greater liability protection.<\/li>\n
  3. Only use online shopping sites that use personal information encryption.<\/strong> Links with \u201chttps\u201d indicate that they have encryption protection in place. That\u2019s a good thing!<\/li>\n
  4. Be stingy when sharing personal information.<\/strong> Don\u2019t store credit card and personal information in online accounts. Also, never send payment, Social Security numbers, or password information via email.<\/li>\n
  5. Not all ATMs are created equal.<\/strong> Don\u2019t use a secluded ATM to get shopping cash. They are more likely to be equipped with card readers or \u201cskimmers\u201d \u2014 a device that can secretly steal credit card information \u2014 than an ATM in or near a bank.<\/li>\n
  6. Dodge the pickpockets.<\/strong> When shopping in stores and malls, safeguard your purse or wallet and your credit cards. Put your purchases in your vehicle\u2019s trunk or at least out of plain view.<\/li>\n
  7. Be mindful of holiday internet scams.<\/strong> The following notorious scams are created to con you out of your credit card information:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n