Combating Credit Card Fraud

With the proliferation of credit cards and the explosion of Internet commerce, it stands to reason that the crime of credit card fraud would also increase accordingly. Information thieves have gone high-tech and are very good at what they do, so you must take every precaution to ensure that your cards and personal information are properly safeguarded. Here are some steps that you can take – both online and offline – to limit your risk of being victimized by credit card fraud:

Online

• Don't purchase anything online unless you're comfortable with the seller's legitimacy. If necessary, call them first to make sure that they're who and what they claim to be.
• Never give out your personal information online via email or any other unsecure means.
• Check your credit report periodically.
• Delete emails that ask you to verify your account information or state that your account has been suspended. Never click the link provided in such an email, and call the company to verify whether or not it came from them.
• If you pay accounts online, again, do not use the link provided in any email. Bookmark the site at the time that you set up the account, and access the site using only that bookmark.
• When purchasing any item online, make sure that there's a 'closed padlock' icon showing in the lower right-hand corner of your browser. This indicates that the site is secure.

Offline

• Never give out your credit card numbers or any other personal information over the phone. Telephones are notoriously unsecure modes of communication and can easily be monitored, especially cell phones.
• When you apply for a credit card, be sure to sign the back of it as soon as you receive it.
• If you don't plan on using them, rip up or shred all credit card applications that you receive in the mail.
• Remove the name and address label from any magazines or other material that comes in your mail.
• Keep your credit cards in a secure location in your home, and carry only one with you.
• Never keep PIN numbers in your wallet or purse; memorize them instead.
• When using an ATM machine, cover the number pad to obscure the view of anyone standing behind you, especially if they have a cell phone in hand (it may be a camera phone).
• Carefully check every credit card bill to ensure that no one else has accessed your account.
• If you shop at an establishment that still uses carbon paper for credit card transactions, be sure to ask for it. Take the carbon home and rip it up or shred it.
• Prepare your deposit or withdrawal slips before you get to the bank. Never fill them out inside while you're waiting in line.
• When visiting a doctor's office for the first time, you're normally required to fill out several forms. Don't write in your Social Security Number; it can be given to them when the information is entered into the computer.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and the people present whenever and wherever you shop or bank. Being alert and careful is often all that it takes to avoid a dangerous and costly incident.