Traveling with Gift Cards & A Prepaid Card Helps Protect Against Identity Theft! Quick & Easy Travel Tips!  Over the holidays my PayPal debit card was hacked while I was shopping for a gift for myself (maybe that was a sign I didn’t need that Google Mini lol).  That tied up some of my money for a minute.  Listen, Linda!  It was inconvenient, a hassle and it angered me that someone in Oak Grove, KY at a Pilot gas station took $300 out of my account. Really? After that experience, I began thinking about how I could easily protect myself from identity theft while traveling and shopping during the holidays.  I came up with two easy ways, that I want to share with so you’ll join me in being #prepared and #protected travelers. First Easy Travel Tip…Use A Prepaid Visa/MasterCard for Travel Expenses! Use a prepaid debit Visa/MasterCard for some of your expenses.  I love traveling with a prepaid card for shopping, some food expenses and unexpected bag fees (due to my travel shopping…don’t judge me lol).  The prepaid card helps me stay on budget and protects me from identity theft.  It protects you against identity theft because the card is not hooked to your SSN.  Prepaid cards are also protected against unauthorized transactions just like credit cards.   I prefer the Brinks Prepaid card.  It’s free to obtain and you can load money onto it, quickly & easily from your bank account (usually posts & is available for use within hours). Moms & Dads I suggest you both obtain a prepaid card and split the family vacation funds between your cards.  This way if one is compromised or lost, you still have access to some money. Second Easy Travel tip…Use Gift Cards for Quick Food Expenses While Traveling! Buy gift cards to your favorite fast food restaurants and use them while traveling.  This is another way to stay on budget, save your cash and protect against identity theft.  Most airports, train/bus terminals have fast food restaurants.  You’ll often see a Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Bojangles, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Subway and even T.G.I.Friday’s at airports. If you’re taking road trips this summer, you’ll have a fabulous variety of options to use gift cards while driving. Use a gift card for these quick dining experiences and save your cash, credit & debit cards and avoid the hackers. You’ll still need to use a credit card for hotel and rental car reservations, there’s simply no way around that travel requirement.  Everytime my card has been hacked/number stolen it has been while shopping or making a quick food purchase while traveling.  On my next trip, I’m traveling with a prepaid card and a few gift cards! I hope these quick and easy travel tips help on your next trip! Be Happy. Be Fabulous.  Be Well Traveled. By The Travelin Diva ~ Kirstin N. Fuller...