LAST UPDATED: January 14, 2026

Snowbirds love to travel – both over the winter and at other times of the year - but what they may not realize is that while travelling, they are at greater risk of becoming victims of cyber-crimes and data theft.

Accordingly, it is critical for snowbirds to know how to protect your personal data when travelling to avoid such things as identity and cyber theft.

And with today’s snowbirds travelling further afield to many international destinations, there’s an even greater need to take precautions. 

Cyber-criminal activity is on the rise everywhere, and the criminals are becoming more sophisticated every day in their methods to exploit the private information of individuals.

Becoming a victim of having your personal data stolen can be devastating, extremely time-consuming, and sometimes very costly to resolve.

Potential consequences of data theft 

There are many consequences to having your personal data stolen, and one of them is identity theft, where cyber thieves steal your personal information, which allows them to open accounts in your name, take out loans, and even purchase property without your knowledge - resulting in many legal issues, debt and damaged credit ratings. 

Then there’s financial fraud where criminals can drain your bank accounts or use your credit cards by getting access to your personal account details.

Tax fraud is also a potential risk where false tax returns are filed to get refunds. 

All of these can have long-term consequences and can sometimes take years to sort out legally and financially.  It can affect your ability to get loans, mortgages or credit, and you may incur legal fees or credit monitoring costs - not to mention the emotional stress of being a victim. 

Snowbird Advisor’s top tips to protect yourself

Here are Snowbird Advisor’s top tips to protect your personal information while travelling to avoid becoming a victim of data theft:

Tip #1: Clean out your wallet

Carry only one ID, one credit card, and a small amount of cash when you are out in your destination – the more information a criminal can access about you, the more successful they will be in using your personal information for criminal activity.

Store backups (passport copies, extra credit cards, etc…) securely in your hotel safe or at your home or rental location.

Tip #2 Be smart with your electronic devices

Your phone, iPad and laptop contain a wealth of information that criminals would love to access.  When you leave home and utilize new or public Wi-fi services, you open yourself to potential criminal activity.

Your devices can give criminals access to identification details such as your name and contact information, social insurance number, bank accounts, credit card info, biometric information, family photos, documents, contacts and more. 

Before travelling - or if you are already travelling, do this now - lock your devices with a strong password, fingerprint ID or facial recognition verification and ensure your antivirus software is up to date. 

Backing up your files to the cloud can also be very useful, as your memories and documents will remain accessible if your device is lost, stolen or disappears.

Tip #3: Don’t advertise that you’re travelling

Posting your winter location and pictures of beaches and sunsets on social media is actually one of the habits that helps criminals, as it alerts them to the fact that your home is unoccupied.   

Posting pictures of your boarding pass or other travel documents can also give criminals access to more information about you. 

Avoid posting about your travels on social media, or at the very least, consider making your social media accounts private so only your friends can see them.

Tip #4:  Be careful with public Wi-Fi

When travelling, we all use public Wi-Fi - in airports, restaurants, coffee shops etc…

Unfortunately, cyber criminals are experts at setting up fake Wi-Fi public networks in these locations that look legitimate but are not. 

Make sure you check the exact name of the network before connecting to ensure it matches the name of the official public Wi-fi network provided by your location. 

And don’t use public Wi-Fi to access your bank or purchase online using your credit card. Wait until you are at a safe location to do this.

Finally, don’t use the “remember me” tool on public Wi-Fi. 

Tip #5: Only use legit SIM cards

If you buy a local SIM card for your phone when travelling, make sure it is from an official seller.

You may find better deals from resellers or street vendors, but these cards can make your device more easily accessed by malware.

Depending on your location, you may be better off using an International roaming service from your Canadian mobile provider instead of local SIM cards.

Tip #6: Beware QR codes

These days, many places are using QR codes rather than providing written information, such as menus or details about products, manuals, etc…, where you scan the code with your phone and up pops the information you are looking for. 

However, some QR codes can be rigged by criminals to redirect you to fraudulent websites that can access your personal data through your device or install software on your device to monitor your online activity. 

If you’re scanning a QR code, do your best to ensure it’s a legitimate code offered by the business you are seeking information from.

Tip #7: Don’t travel with sensitive documents

Depending on where you are travelling to, you may find that border officials have the right to search your digital devices. 

This is becoming more prevalent and is a routine practice in some countries. So be prepared that whatever you have stored on your device could be examined at border crossings.  

Unless you really need information on your device while travelling, consider removing it and leaving it on your home devices. 

Tip # 8: Scan for Malware when you get home

After travelling and using public networks, be sure to run antivirus/anti-malware scans on your devices when you get to your destination and when you return home to ensure they are not infected. 

The Bottom Line

In the digital age, it’s a necessity for snowbirds to be aware of what you can do to protect your information and personal data while travelling. 

For more information on cyber safety tips while travelling, check out this Government of Canada resource.