Football season is in full swing, which makes it a great time to think about security, and particularly identity theft protection, while you’re at the game or at a bar. Even though all football fans seem friendly enough – unless they are rooting for rival teams – it’s easy to get distracted and to get lax about protecting your wallet or having your purse stolen, which could put you in a very bad position. You best believe that identity thieves are aware of distracted football fans and that they see them as potential victims and it’s very easy for them to tell where these fans are going to congregate.
Here are some quick tips to keep your identity safe and make sure you enjoy the game.
If you’re tailgating, lock your car. With the amount of foot traffic near the stadium, it’s hard to keep an eye on the doors at all times. Just pull out a cooler and chairs and sit nearby instead of leaving the doors or hatch open. You don’t want anyone rummaging through your belongings.
Keep your wallet in your front pocket or in a purse with a thick strap that can sit on the front of your body, where you can easily see it. If you’re in the stadium, always take your belongings with you if you have to leave your seat for any reason.
Never let friends borrow your wallet to purchase snacks or any other items. Even if you trust your friends, they may not be as security minded as you. Instead, give them cash – and not much more than is necessary to make the purchase.
Watch your alcohol intake. When people drink, they tend to get careless, and sometimes safety goes out the window in a lot of ways. It’s better to drink in your own home, where your security is less of a concern – and you can lock your wallet in a safe if people you don’t know are around. Plus, no worries about who is going to be designated driver.
For those of you who aren’t football fans I am sure you can easily see how this all relates to other sports and venues that perhaps you do take an interest in…. One of our staff just happened to notice how many football fans were oblivious to their surroundings and really were quite the easy target for identity theft, but this could easily apply elsewhere. So whatever venue your at use some caution and some good ol’ common sense….. that way you’ll actually be able to enjoy the game.