Click the play button on the video window to the see the storyArizona ranks among the highest in the nation with the number of identity theft cases and some say holiday shopping can make you a target if you don't take precautions.
"People really have to be on guard this time of year, it's critical," said
LifeLock founder and CEO Todd Davis.
According to Davis, most credit card companies expect people to purchase a larger number of items including high dollar gifts during the holidays which can be a window for thieves to slip in and steal your information.
"Given the holiday season and the economic crisis we're in, those two factors really contribute to people being on alert," said Davis.
While Davis makes a living on a service that aims to protect people from identity thieves, he provided three simple steps online buyers should take before making a purchase.
First, place a fraud alert on your credit cards.
"Anyone can go out and place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and Trans-Union. It's a great line of defense and costs you nothing. It's not bullet proof, but it does help," said Davis.
Second, only use secure websites when making an online purchase.
While on a website when it asks for you to type in your personal information look at the toolbar where the web address is located, you should see the letter "s".
"That 's' stands for secure, a secure website, and that's not something you can fake," said Davis.
Finally, be leery of pop-up ads. Those pop-ups can be the result of a tracking cookie that monitors the websites you go to.
"Beware of pop-up ads, you want to be a with a secure website, and remember with those ads, if it's too good to be true, stop," said Davis.
