During the busy holiday season, be sure to keep privacy perspectives in the forefront of your mind. So many things crowd into our lives as we rush about in celebration of our holiday season, it is important to remember that during the season of peace and love and goodwill, there are those lurking in the shadows to take advantage of our good cheer. So, be reminded to keep track of your personal information, your wallet, your debit and credit cards. Make sure to double check your purse, pockets and packages to secure your credit card receipts and see that you have all your information and purchases.

To make sure your holiday season is merry and bright, the Privacy Gurus® offer this gift of practical ways to protect yourself from criminals.

If you are an online shopper, know the retailer you are dealing with. Shop with well known names, like those with brick and mortar establishments or companies like amazon.com. Be sure that you are on a secure site by checking for the little lock in the lower right hand corner of your browser. Read their privacy policy. Do not give your credit card number over a cell phone or in an email message; neither of these methods are safe ways to communicate your personal information.

When you shop in the stores, keep an eye on your sales clerk when you go to make a purchase. There have been many reported incidents where sales clerks had scanners (small, pager looking, devices) attached to their waistbands or belts and used them to steal your information. It would happen before or after your credit card would be run for your purchase and your card would be swiped through the scanner to obtain the number and other information available. You would be none the wiser…until later. The ruse used for the customer is something along the lines of "I was just cleaning the magnetic strip on the card so it would work properly". Do not let this happen to you. If you observe this situation or if you are a victim of such an action, find the management now!!! The police need to be notified. Hundreds of credit card numbers are stolen in this fashion and so many folks are unaware of this method of theft.

There are really three perspectives of privacy and information security to keep in mind as you travel the highways and byways of the holiday season...

• Remember, Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and you don't need that in your life.
• Theft of credit cards or credit card information is growing daily
• Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires…that is, take care to protect your own and your family's personal information

Darity Wesley is CEO and Legal Counsel for Privacy Solutions, Inc. a San Diego based consulting firm. Her team of Privacy Gurus® work with you to create policies and procedures to establish the expectation of privacy for your members, clients, customers, prospects, affiliates, associates, employees and vendors. You can reach her at (619)670-9462 or Darity@privacygurus.com