3 Ways to Protect Your Identity This Holiday Season

Identity theft is a serious issue in the United States. According to the Bureau of Justice, over 1.1 million cases of identity theft were reported through the third quarter of 2025, which was more than all reported cases in 2024. And unfortunately, it appears that americans aged 30 to 39 are the most likely to fall victim to identity theft according to the same report from the Bureau of Justice.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and with that comes increased use of credit cards. As you search for the perfect gift for family and friends, follow these tips to help protect your identity this holiday season.

1. Look for the green lock when purchasing on the internet. If you are entering your credit card information on an online merchant’s website, be sure to look in your browser’s URL bar for a lock, which is often green. This is the universal symbol that the website is using a secure method to take your payment information. If you don’t see a lock, you may want to think twice before completing the transaction.
2. Use strong passwords. We know it may be easy to put your dog’s name and 123 as your password, but don’t do it! These are extremely easy to figure out and increase the likelihood of you getting hacked. Use strong passwords that are hard to figure out, and don’t use the same password for every site. Mix it up so if a hacker gets one password they don’t get access to everything.
3. Be wary of shoulder surfers. Don’t get too paranoid, but be careful at the ATM, or anywhere else that you bring your card out in public. If someone is too close behind you, they may be trying to look over your shoulder to see what your card says. Also, the same could be true for the person next to you on the subway watching you enter your credit card on your phone to buy your niece’s present.

Don’t let identity theft ruin your holiday spirit. Be cautious of where you are using your credit card and how it is being stored. For more tips on protecting yourself from identity theft this holiday season visit USAGov.

Looking for an extra layer of protection? Ask your independent insurance agent about Acuity's Identity Fraud and Cyber Protection coverages.