ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 'Tis the season for loading up on gifts, special Internet sales, last- minute shopping-and identity theft. The holiday season can be hectic and distracting for consumers, and identity thieves are likely on the prowl to take advantage.

Every three seconds, someone in the United States becomes a victim of identity fraud, according to Javelin's 2013 Identity Fraud Report. The research firm found that 12 million Americans were affected last year.

Although the risk of identity theft is real year-round, the holidays can put consumers at a heightened risk. Equifax (NYSE:EFX) is urging consumers to take steps to help protect themselves during the end-of-the-year rush.

"Identity thieves know consumers are more likely to have their guards down during the holiday season," said Trey Loughran, president of the Personal Solutions unit at Equifax. "You want to be vigilant, whether shopping online or at the register, to help avoid becoming an identity theft victim."

Here are the top reasons why you're especially vulnerable during the holiday season, with tips for how to take control:

  • Hitting the mall. The stores are plenty crowded, making it easier for someone to oversee your card information at the register. Make sure to cover your PIN when using your debit card.
  • Shopping online. According to accountancy firm Deloitte's Annual Holiday Survey, online shopping will be the number one choice for holiday shoppers this year. Typing your account information into a website can put you at risk for a data breach. Only use websites that are secured and you are familiar with.
  • Using many different cards. It might be hard to track your statements for suspicious activity if you're using too many different credit cards. Use only one card during the shopping season so it's easier to spot and mitigate any incorrect charges.
  • Looking for deals. Internet scammers create emails that look just like ones from your favorite retailers. Those embedded links can be traps for malware and viruses to invade your computer. If you see a link that interests you, type it directly into your browser instead of clicking it in the email.
  • Shipping a lot of packages. Similarly, scammers create fake shipping trackers with phishing links. They take advantage of the large amount of shipping volume during the holidays. Check an emailed tracker to make sure it's for something you actually ordered. 
  • Feeling generous. Unfortunately, fake charities are a way in which identity thieves harvest personal information. Never provide your account information over the phone unless you initiated the call. Make sure the organization is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
  • On the go. This holiday season, AAA expects 93.3 million travelers. Traveling and a busy schedule can leave you turning to free Wi-Fi. Avoid connecting to unsecured networks. Hackers can use programs to gain access to your computer, often without you even knowing.

About Equifax

Equifax Personal Solutions empowers consumers with the confidence and control to be their financial best. Find out more about Equifax's innovative suite of credit monitoring and identity protection products at www.equifax.com. Learn about identity theft and how to help protect yourself and your family at IdentityProtection.com. Get smart information on everything from credit to retirement, all in one place at the Equifax Finance Blog, blog.equifax.com.

Equifax is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions that provide businesses of all sizes and consumers with insight and information they can trust. Equifax organizes and assimilates data on more than 600 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide.  The company's significant investments in differentiated data, its expertise in advanced analytics to explore and develop new multi-source data solutions, and its leading-edge proprietary technology enable it to create and deliver unparalleled customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 18 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index.  Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. In 2013, Equifax was named a Bloomberg BusinessWeek Top 50 company, was #3 in Fortune's Most Admired list in its category, and was named to InfoWeek 500 as well as the FinTech 100. For more information, please visit www.equifax.com. 


CONTACT: Nancy Johnson

         (404) 343-0886

         njohnson@thewilbertgroup.com

         

         Michele Cacdac-Jones

         (678) 795-7885

         michele.cacdac-jones@equifax.com
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