Kroll Fraud Solutions Blog – A Dialogue on Data Security

For retailers, the holiday shopping season is just heating up – that means increased traffic in stores and online, which is a magnet for thieves, hackers, and scammers all looking to steal consumers’ sensitive personal information. Kroll has worked with many retail organizations to find and fix vulnerabilities and maintain a high level of data security. We’d like to present a few tips we’ve compiled that will help your business and customers enjoy a data-safe 2010 holiday season.

Tip #1: Perform Adequate Background Checks on all Employees

Tip #6: Seasonal Deal or Scam?

This time of year, scammers are out in force, and if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. A few traditional scams to be on the watch for:

Tip #5: Travel Safely
The holidays are a popular time for travel – whether you’re visiting far away relatives or taking a needed break. It naturally follows that this time of year has an abundance of identity thieves and other scammers looking to steal your personal information.

• Beware of fraudulent travel deals, particularly online. The deal may simply be not as advertised, or they may be nonexistent – it could be that it is merely a setup  to steal your personal information. As with any scam, do your research – determine whether or not the agency is legitimate beforehand, such as through the Better Business Bureau.

Tip #4: Protect Your Home for the Holidays
Will you have guests in your home for the holidays? Once upon a time, the biggest concern you might have in hosting a get-together for friends, family or co-workers was the snoop who peered inside the medicine cabinet. Unfortunately, many identity theft victims know their perpetrator, or else have had personal interaction with him or her. It’s particularly alarming to think that the threat of identity theft could come from a friend, relative or neighbor, but there are several simple steps you can take to ensure your safety:

Tip #3: Think Before You Give

Will you be sending any holiday cards or e-cards this year? Is a computer or mobile device on your list of gifts? If so, there are a few precautions and warnings you should consider for yourself as well as your loved ones that could help to avoid identity theft: