Safeguard Your Customers' -- and Your Own -- Online Identity

Avoid Unsafe Transactions

Placing a fraud alert on your credit report is just a first step. Here are four more ways you can avoid unsafe transactions as you spread holiday cheer:

• Before you provide any personal information online, always check to see that the padlock at the top or bottom of your browser is closed and locked.
• The Web page address you're doing online business with should begin with "https:" -- this means that a secure connection has been established. The main home page of the site may not have "https:", but once you begin entering any personal information on a separate page, it should appear in the browser.
• Check the site you're on for any third-party verification devices, such as VeriSign, TRUSTe or the Better Business Bureau. Also check for contact information. Be cautious of any sites that don't offer a phone number.
• If a site asks you if you'd like to keep your credit card information on file for future use, say no -- this could be unsafe if a cybercrook hacks into the retailer's database. Instead, provide your card number with each purchase you make.

Help for Victims

If you do happen to fall victim to identity theft this holiday season, here are the top five steps our experts recommend you follow:

• Call the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This will prevent an identity thief from opening any new accounts under your name.
• Shut down the credit card account you believe has been tampered with so the credit card company can cancel your card, reverse the charges and get a new card out to you as soon as possible. And don't panic: During the holidays, credit card companies are usually quick to reissue a new card overnight.