BBB warns summer festival and concert-goers to protect personal property.
Summer is the season for music festivals, carnivals and outdoor entertainment. Have you ever woken up from a late night of fun only to discover you’ve lost your ID, phone, wallet or maybe even your keys? Sometimes all it takes is an afternoon at a crowded summer festival or concert where scammers can easily dip their hands into your pockets and help themselves to your ID and other valuables.
While summer is a time for relaxation, you should lock scammers out of your personal information at summer festivals with these BBB tips:
- Turn it off. Switch off the personal hotspot setting on your mobile devices and ensure your device is password protected. Personal hotspot is smart-phone feature that allows you to share your Internet connection with other devices, which could be a gateway for ID theft scammers.
- Limit your browsing. If you’re not sure how secure the Internet or Wi-Fi connection is, refrain from using confidential online services like online banking.
- Lock it up. Keep passwords and other personal information secure. Do not carry passwords written on paper with you or share them with anyone.
- Clean it out. Only bring essential valuables, such as a debit card, your ID, cell phone and so on. Secure what you don’t need at home.
- Pack your valuables securely. Store your valuables at the bottom of your backpack or bag. Use backpacks with zippers and leave the outside pouches for things like sunscreen and water. If you’re camping out, don’t leave any valuables in your tent or camper, and sleep with your valuables at the bottom of your sleeping bag.
For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org.
