Identity Theft and the Concerned Traveler

An excellent article by Liz Pulliam Weston identifies the reasons identity theft has become an epidemic in the US while it's virtually unknown in Europe. The main reasons? Social Security numbers used as identification, easily cloned magnetic strip credit cards (vs. secure European smart cards), and the US's virtually uncontrolled financial data sharing. Read What Europe can teach us about identity theft.

Most travelers these days use an ATM/credit card combo for all their money needs on a European vacation. But there are important things to know if you don't want your credit card rejected, and there are some safety tips on ATM use you might wish to consider.