Hurricane Earl Evacuators Taking Precautions Against Identity Theft?

While hurricane season has not yet officially kicked off, this has not stopped Hurricane Earl, a category 4 storm that is barreling right towards the North Carolina coast as we write this post. As a result hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect along the Mid-Atlantic coast and as far north as Massachusetts, and evacuations have already started in areas of the East Coast.

While many of the evacuators may have taken steps to protect their valuables, it is uncertain at this time as to what steps they have taken to avoid becoming victims of identity theft — which can happen very easily during a hurricane evacuation.

Laura D’Alisera, a mitigation and recovery planner with the city of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Division, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, recently told TMCNet that: “Identity theft is a reality,” said D’Alisera. “Safeguard your personal information as you would any other precious valuables. If you are evacuating, remember to stop mail and newspaper deliveries, which might signal you are away from your property.”

In addition, those who are evacuating should take extra precautions to safeguard their computers, which often hold important financial and medical information. It is not uncommon for criminals to hide in the shadows and stay behind and try to rob the homes of those who have evacuated.

Of course, personal safety is paramount in an evacuation situation, but we urge everyone who is packing up and heading towards the mainland to take extra precautions.