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VACATION ALL I EVER WANTED… But will your home and your sensitive information be safe while you’re away? Now you can make sure they are! 

For example, with the quick mail tip below, you can ensure your bank statements and bills don’t end up in the wrong hands! You can also protect your home and everything in it…and avoiding falling prey to a hotel credit card scam by reading the article below. 

WAIT A MINUTE MISTER POSTMAN 

Think about what lands in your mailbox…bank statements, credit card bills, and maybe even DVDs. Where do they all go when you’re gone? If you’ve been asking a nosy neighbor to pick up your mail–or worse, letting your mail pile up in the box–there’s a better option and it’s easier than ever! 

Whether you’re on vacation or an unexpected business trip, you can rest easy knowing your mail is safe and sound by asking the Post Office to suspend delivery while you’re gone. They’ll hold your mail from 3 to 30 days, and then resume normal delivery on the date you specify. It’s convenient, easy to do, and most of all SAFE!

Make It Easier with the Internet

Now you can notify the Post Office to hold your mail in two minutes flat without even leaving your house. Just hit this link, and you can quickly fill out the form online: USPS Mail Hold. If your area isn’t served online, simply call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) and a representative can assist you. Then, have the time of your life…without worrying about your mail while you’re gone!

NOT TO BE AN ALARMIST.…..

But did you know that home security systems may actually attract burglars? Shocking, but true.

Each year, Americans spend more than $18 Billion on professional alarm systems. Unfortunately, according to security consultant Walter Shaw, some of those systems may actually be attracting burglars. Shaw, a former burglar, contends that when thieves see a house with a security system sign on it, they know it typically means that the house actually has something of value inside…which makes it a better target for them to consider breaking into.

In addition, Shaw notes that determined thieves can actually use those security system signs to their advantage. First, if the sign displays the name of the alarm system company, a thief may be able to use that information to research the system and figure out how to bypass it. Second, thieves may decide to test the system. By tripping the alarm on purpose, burglars can gain a better idea of how long they’ll have to get in and get out before the police arrive!

So do alarm systems help at all?

The answer, thankfully, is YES! A recent study indicated that alarm systems are still the single most effective way to reduce the risk of burglary. Interestingly, some preventive measures such as deadbolts do little to dissuade burglars, since these measures cannot be seen until a burglar has already chosen a house…at which point they tend to pursue it and find a way in, regardless of the deadbolts. 

Here’s how to best protect your home.

First, make sure any alarm signs posted on or around your home are generic–without the name of the security company. In addition, you might want to consider adding security cameras-or even fake cameras-around your entrances and windows. No thief wants to be caught on tape…even if they’re wearing a mask. Also, make sure that bushes and branches are cleared away from windows and entrances. 

For more help with your house’s security, you should seek advice from a professional security provider. Be sure to tell them about your specific concerns and ask how to best address them.      

HOW SAFE IS YOUR CREDIT CARD WHILE YOU’RE IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM?

Most would answer “very safe” because the card is right there with you, either tucked securely in a wallet or locked in the safe. But beware…it might not be as protected as you think. There’s a scam lurking about hotels, and it’s not coming from hotel employees–it’s from people outside the hotel altogether.

There’s how it works:

The phone in your room rings and the person on the other end identifies themselves as someone from the front desk. They say there is a problem with your credit card and the number needs to be verified. You cooperatively pass along the information, and don’t think about it again until the monthly statement arrives with a slew of charges that are not yours.

Suddenly you realize while on vacation or caught up in an important business trip, you were scammed!

So how do these people get to your room if they don’t know your name? They simply call the hotel and randomly ask for room numbers until they can get through to a person in the room, or they ask for a hotel guest with a common last name like “Smith” until the connection is made. One way or another, they get through and scam hotel guests.

If a call is ever made to your hotel room requesting credit card information, taking just one precautionary step will confirm whether or not the call is a legitimate one. Simply ask for the hotel employee’s name and tell them you will come down to the front desk and provide the credit card information. Asking for the name may cause the scammer to panic and hang up–but even if a name is given, take the time to go to the front desk and confirm the call.

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, hotels never ask for credit card information over the phone. So, chances are good that receiving a call like this is a scam, and taking the time to walk down to the front desk will confirm whether there really is a problem with your card.

Be on guard for anyone asking for your credit card number over the phone, and ensure that you can enjoy your vacation or focus on that business trip with the peace of mind that you are not getting scammed.