| Credit card fraud is fast becoming the most common | | | | There is no perfect way to protect your information |
| financial crime in the world today. As a result, hundreds | | | | from being stolen, but take the following suggestions |
| of millions of dollars are being drained annually from | | | | into consideration and you will make yourself less |
| credit card holders and credit card issuers by | | | | vulnerable to an attack.o When handing your credit |
| unscrupulous criminals. In order to avoid the pitfalls of | | | | card to a cashier, attendant or waitress watch what |
| credit card fraud there are some basic things you can | | | | they do with the card if possible. Your card should only |
| do to protect yourself. | | | | be swiped once through either their register or a debit |
| Before looking at what can be done to prevent fraud | | | | credit terminal. For regular everyday purchases there is |
| from occurring, listing common situations where the | | | | no reason why your card information should be copied |
| fraud commonly takes place can be a helpful exercise. | | | | by hand.o Be very careful about giving out your credit |
| The scary fact is, all a would-be thief needs in order to | | | | card information over the phone. If you are skeptical of |
| begin wreaking havoc on your finances is your credit | | | | the source chances are you have a reason to be.o |
| card number and the 3 digit CVV (Card Verification | | | | On the internet make sure you only provide your |
| Number) located on the back of the card. | | | | information to sites that are secure. If you see https:// |
| Common Fraud Risks:o Internet phishing (fish-ing) is a | | | | at the beginning or the URL you are about to enter |
| popular method getting you to surrender your personal | | | | your credit card information on the site is secure. The |
| information. You will receive and email from an | | | | "s" indicates the site has a valid SSL Certificate |
| unknown sender claiming to be a legitimate business | | | | installed on the web server ensuring any data you |
| asking to update or provide them with your personal | | | | enter into forms on the website cannot be intercepted |
| information including banking and credit card details.o If | | | | and deciphered by would be cyber criminals. This does |
| you have a telephone you have received a call at | | | | not guarantee that the website itself is not run by |
| some point stating: "Congratulations you have just won | | | | criminals, only that your data cannot be intercepted |
| an all expense paid vacation to..." The person on the | | | | during transmission, an important point to understand.o |
| line will tell you that all you need to do to qualify for the | | | | Do not write down your credit card number as a note |
| prize is join their club by providing your credit card | | | | anywhere. Always use the card itself when |
| information for age verification. This form of fraud | | | | referencing the number. When disposing of any |
| comes at you from the phone, mail and internet.o | | | | paperwork containing personal information use a paper |
| When making a purchase at a place like a restaurant | | | | shredder to shred it.o Always keep your receipts from |
| or gas station where the employee walks out of your | | | | any purchase you make with your credit card and |
| sight with your credit card to complete your purchase | | | | open your bills every month even if you did not make |
| they can easily record your information.o Some | | | | a purchase to ensure there are no extra charges on |
| thieves are technically savvy and carry a portable | | | | the bill. |
| card reader. They will give your card an extra swipe | | | | The bottom line is to be aware that credit card fraud is |
| when they ring in your purchase at POS terminals. | | | | a lucrative business for criminal gangs and they are |
| They get creative with this. I read a story where | | | | going to constantly push the envelope to find more |
| criminal set up a sign in a mall close to an ATM. The | | | | devious ways to get your personal information. |
| sign looked nice and said "Free Debit and Credit Card | | | | There are some credit cards that are secure in more |
| Cleaning". Attached to the sign was a portable card | | | | ways than others such as providing an additional level |
| reader. The would be thief was apprehended when he | | | | of security for online purchases. Review the features |
| returned to retrieve his "Credit Card Cleaner". One | | | | list for several credit card offers to find the one that |
| swipe of your card using these card readers and all of | | | | provides the level of security and buyer protection that |
| your credit card and personal information is recorded.o | | | | guards you to a level you are comfortable with while |
| Thieves that go through your trash looking for receipts | | | | still providing the card perks you want. |
| or bills with your credit card information. | | | | |