WORCESTER, Mass., Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As Black
Friday and Cyber Monday approach, millions of shoppers are gearing
up to kick-off the 2012 holiday shopping season. And, with
identity theft on the rise, The Hanover Insurance Group offers
suggestions for holiday shoppers to take to protect their
identity.
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Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country now
accounting for more than 15 million victims per year, and costs
Americans whose identities have been victimized an average of
$3,500. In addition, there is the
frustration and time spent to reset personal credit information as
a result of identity theft.
"As shoppers get excited about holiday gifts and bargains, it's
easy to forget that there are people out there waiting to take
advantage of what should be a joyful season," said Mark Desrochers, president, personal lines
insurance at The Hanover. "Because
of the emotional and financial impact identity theft can have on an
individual and their family, we thought it was important to offer
some tips to help avoid identity theft."
The Hanover offers the
following tips to help minimize your risk from ID theft:
- When paying by credit card:
- Don't allow clerks to put your receipts in your bag; carry them
in your wallet instead where they are safer and less likely to fall
out
- Watch cashiers, waiters and bartenders, ensuring that they
don't "skim" or save your card number for later use
- When paying by check:
- Never allow merchants to write your social security number on
the check. In many states, it is illegal
- Use a gel ink pen—preferably black—to write checks, which will
permeate the fibers and make it difficult for the check to be
cleaned and reused
- When shopping online:
- Be careful of wireless internet connections. Only use those
that require a security key or certificate
- Shop on secure, reputable sites only
- Never offer personal information, especially your social
security number
- Leave suspicious websites immediately
- Read customer reviews before ordering
- Use a credit card and not a debit card, which makes it harder
for you to get funds back and gives thieves access to funds in your
bank account
- Avoid carrying a social security card, birth certificate,
passport, bank information or paychecks when hitting the stores.
Identity thieves find these particularly helpful
- Check your bank statements, credit card bills and credit
reports often, helping to nip in the bud any efforts to use your
identity
Through a partnership with Identity Theft 911®, the nation's
leader in identity management and fraud education, The Hanover offers policyholders access to fraud
resolution services, should they fall victim to a crime.
For many, the holidays are a fun filled time, crammed with
holiday purchases and gift-giving. Taking some precautions to
prevent identity theft, as well as consulting with an independent
agent to determine whether your insurance policy offers access to
free identity theft resolution and education, will help to give you
the peace of mind as you enter the new year! To find an independent
agent near you go to www.hanover.com
About The Hanover
Founded in 1852, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) is
proud to be celebrating 160 years of delivering on its promises to
its agent partners and their customers. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and
casualty products and services to businesses, individuals, and
families through a select group of agents and brokers, and is
ranked among the top 25 property and casualty companies in
the United States.
Based in Worcester, Mass., The
Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for a group of
insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in
Worcester, Citizens Insurance
Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Michigan, Chaucer Holdings PLC, based
in London, and their affiliates.
Through Chaucer, the company underwrites business at Lloyd's of
London in several major insurance
and reinsurance classes, including property, marine and aviation,
energy, U.K. motor and casualty. For more information, please visit
www.hanover.com.
CONTACT:
Amy Banek
Media Relations
abanek@hanover.com
(508) 855-4486
SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.