You probably know something about identity theft, but were you aware that more than 8-million people have been victims of this crime? And did you know, travel is the perfect breeding ground? Identity theft expert Mike Prusinski says, “Just think of how many times you’re asked to produce ID at the airport.” And it’s so easy for ID to be dropped or left in a security bin, or it’s always possible to fall victim to a pickpocket. The biggest danger? According to Prusinski, that’s when you give someone “the keys to the kingdom.” What’s he talking about? Just click “more” to continue.

Mike Prusinski knows all about identity theft; as V.P. of Communications for LifeLock (one of a handful of firms in the newly emerging field of home-ID theft protection/prevention) he has to keep up with the ever-inventive “bad guys” and their quest for “the keys to the kingdom.”

According to Prusinski, there are 2-keys: 1.) your social security number, and, 2.) your date of birth.

And he adds, if thieves have these 2-pieces of information, they can turn your finances upside down.

So what’s a traveler do? Plenty. We combined some of Prusinski’s ideas with those of savvy travelers and theft-prevention experts and came up with this handy guide:

6-Ways for Travelers to Beat Identity Thieves

1. Only Take ID You Really Need

• Take one-credit card - why do you need 5?
• Make sure no cards have your social security number on them - check your health insurance cards; if they include SSN’s, request new cards. And make sure they can be used in the country you’re traveling to
• Make front-and-back copies of every card you bring - leave with trusted friends/family who can be easily reached

2. Leave Valuables at Home

• Flashy jewelry may attract thieves
• If you must bring valuables, park them in the hotel safe - and do this every day

3. Carry Your Most Important Items on Your Person

• Buy a special travel bag/pouch - there are many on the market, including these
• Never put ID or valuables in checked bags

4. Watch Your Laptop

• Keep your eye on it at all times - especially as it emerges from the security conveyor belt
• Try a non-traditional carrying case - a colorful backpack may disguise its contents
• Remove the hard-drive - not all laptops allow this, but if yours does, pull it out and keep the hard-drive on your person
• Anytime you don’t need your laptop, put it in the hotel safe

5. Careful How You Label Bags

• Leave your name and address off your bag-tag - Mike Prusinski calls this “too much information”; a cell phone number is all you need or skip the phone number altogether and just jot down a made-up name or a simple “code word” on the tag
• Don’t put sensitive or identifying information inside your bag - be careful about work documents, receipts, etc. Note that many hotel “business centers” have shredders: use them

6. Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings

• Pickpockets and other thieves look for “distracted” victims - common “marks” are people on phones, or those distracted by security procedures; use extra vigilance or have a traveling companion act as your “look-out”
• Be wary of anyone hanging around (or near) an ATM machine - always shield your transactions
• If you notice ANY irregularities at an ATM machine, do not use it - look for a piece of metal or plastic protruding from the card slot; it could be a device to record your card number and PIN