The holiday season is undoubtedly one of the busiest shopping times of the year. As such, purchases made during this busy time of year could expose you to hackers and scammers looking to steal your identity and drain your bank account. Consider the following tips to protect your information, and wallet during this holiday season: Purchase items using cash or credit cards to limit the use of your debit card. It is much easier for hackers to obtain your information from online purchases. If possible, shop in-store rather than shopping online. If you are doing some online shopping, be sure your computer is equipped with antivirus software and firewalls. Shred any documents containing personal information, such as your social security number, driver's license number, bills, and bank statements. Give yourself the gift of identity theft coverage. Florida Peninsula offers an economical endorsement which can be added to their policies providing assistance if you ever ...

  There are millions of toys in the market for children. Each year, we see new trends right in time for the holiday season. But you must remember, but because they are popular, doesn’t make them safe. Each year, hundreds of kids are treated in hospital emergency departments for toy-related injuries. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when shopping for toys this year: Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame resistant or flame retardant. Stuffed toys should be washable. Painted toys should be covered with lead-free paint to avoid consumption if your child chews on it or it begins to chip. Be sure to purchase art materials which are non-toxic. Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means they've been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Avoid older toys & hand me downs from friends and family. Apart from germs, these toys may not meet the current safety standards and may be ...

    Synthetic Identity Theft is a type of fraud in which a criminal combines real and fake information to create an entirely new identity. This identity is then used to open fraudulent accounts to make fraudulent purchases. This makes it easier for criminals to steal money from credit card companies and lenders who extend credit based on the fake identity. This way, they are not stealing from actual people making it a lot harder to get caught.   Banks are usually the victims of synthetic ID fraud since most of the information these criminals provide is legitimate, such as a real name (but a stolen social security number). After all the purchases are made and they use up all of the credit, it’s the credit card companies who pay the price, since they cannot collect payment from the fake identity who established the account. This is a very tricky situation to handle.   Synthetic identity fraud has become one of the most common types of fraud, yet the most difficult to catch, and ...

    This holiday season brings all sorts of activities. From lighting candles to hanging string lights. Here are some ways to keep your home and family safe from hazards such as fire and injury.   Lights: Inspect holiday string lights each year before hanging them up to ensure there are no frayed cords or cracked bulbs. When replacing bulbs, always unplug the lights first and make sure the voltage and wattage match the original bulb. When going to bed or leaving the house, be sure to turn off the lights.   Ornaments: Avoid glass ornaments, especially if you have curious children and pets. Using plastic ornaments makes tree decorating safe for the entire family. For pets, avoid hanging ornaments at the very bottom of the tree. To avoid injury altogether, gate off the area where the tree will stand so children and pets cannot get too close without supervision.   Candles: Always remember to blow out candles before going to bed and never leave them near curtains or flammable ite ...

    Identity theft is a serious crime which happens when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit fraud or other crimes. Personal information includes things like your name and Social Security, or credit card numbers. ID theft can happen anywhere, at any time. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to lower your risk of becoming a victim.   1.  Always verify who you are speaking to over the phone: Remember, banks or creditors will never call you randomly and ask you to verify your credit card numbers or social security numbers. This only happens when you are the person calling trying to get information about your account. Always search online directly through your bank or creditor’s website to obtain their official contact numbers. Never dial a number from a third-party. To be even safer, go directly to the branch to solve any issues you may have.   2.  Handle financial documents with care: If you need to throw away documents ...