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February 10, 2001
By
John Tobin
Website:
http://www.credit-card-debts.com
>
Credit Card Safety: Is Credit Card Safety A Real Issue On The Internet?
Credit card safety is one of the Internet's biggest challenges. Hackers have found ways to steal credit card numbers from Web sites, so credit card safety is always an issue. Although the numbers are increasing, consumers are still not using their credit cards on the Internet nearly as much as e-tailers (electronic retailers) would like.
In supporting credit card safety, many cyber-merchants continue to offer a toll-free order number so that shoppers have the choice of calling. Cyber-shopping may be convenient -- and some people do all their shopping online -- but credit card safety is at risk because fraud exists both on the Internet and out in the real world.
To illustrate the importance of tight credit card safety, a network TV reporter, tipped off about loose security on an Internet Web-hosting site, was able to gain access to about 1,500 customer records, which included everything from credit card numbers and payment records, to comments about particular customers.
These are the kinds of stories that deflate consumer confidence about credit card safety. Some e-tailers blame consumer reluctance on their inability -- from cyberspace -- to make the kind of personal contact that a shopper gets when he looks into the eyes of a store merchant. Experts say that this kind of comfort level will be boosted when online payment methods and security measures are standardized -- much as they are in the retail and mail-order industries.
While Internet companies have taken responsibility for credit card safety breaches and resulting losses to credit card users, there remains the growing problem of people who use stolen credit cards to make purchases on the Internet. Unfair or fraudulent practices by credit card companies are not commonplace, but they do happen. The good news is that consumers are protected by law. In case of credit card fraud online or off, you are only liable for a maximum of $50 of the amount stolen.
And fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission and the media are watching closely. The FTC recently ordered Trans Union credit reporting bureau to stop selling "sensitive" consumer data on 160 million Americans to junk mail producers. The FTC charged that Trans Union violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by selling consumer information to target marketers who lack any of the allowable purposes listed under the Act. Trans Union denies that it sells information that could affect customers' credit card safety or credit rating or breach customer confidentiality and says it will appeal the FTC's ruling. Stay tuned.
If the credit card mailing list issue bothers you -- and it bothers most of us -- pay attention when you're completing that credit card application. Some application forms now provide a box that you can check to allow or disallow the sales of your information to mailing lists. You can also protect yourself by taking your name off the credit bureaus' mailing lists.
When you write to these companies, include your complete name, name variations, mailing address, Social Security number and signature, and state clearly that you want your name removed from their mailing lists. You can write or call either of these major reporting bureaus and they will contact the other major bureaus with your request:
- Experian Consumer Opt Out, 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, Texas 75013;
- Equifax Inc. Options, P.O. Box 740123, Atlanta, Ga. ;
How Can I Be Assured of Credit Card Safety?
These credit card safety tips apply to every credit card holder:
- Sign your credit card -- as soon as you receive it! (Obviously, this only works as well as the clerk checking it!)>/li>
- For complete credit card safety, when you use your card at an ATM, enter your PIN in such a way that no one can easily memorize your keystrokes.
- Don't leave your receipt behind at the ATM -- your PIN and account number from a discarded receipt could make you vulnerable to credit card fraud. Also, don't throw out your credit card statement, receipts or carbons without first shredding them!
- Never give your credit card number over the telephone unless you initiated the call. Even when you place the call to a legitimate merchant (such as a mail order company), never give your credit card number out over a portable phone. Scanners that eavesdrop on these conversations are available for a few hundred dollars at Radio Shack and your voice can be received by one from a far greater distance than the maximum useful range of your cordless phone. One common scam is that someone calls you back claiming to be from the merchant and tells you that there was a problem with your credit card number -- would you mind giving it to them again. The best thing to do is to ask them to read you the number they have -- and then to change any incorrect numbers.
- Ignore any credit card offer that requires you to spend money up-front or fails to disclose the identity of the credit card issuer.
- Make certain you get your credit card back after you make a purchase (one habit to observe is to leave your walletin your hand until you have the credit card back). Also, make sure that you personally rip up any voided or cancelled sales slips.
- Always keep a list of your credit cards, credit card numbers and toll-free numbers in case your credit card is stolen or lost.
- Check your monthly statement to make certain all charges are yours, and immediately notify the credit card issuer of any errors or unauthorized charges.
So now you know a more about credit card safety. To learn even more about how credit cards work, click on another article below or from the column on the right side of this page.
Here's to your credit!
John Tobin
For
more information on credit card safety - click here!
> About The Author:John Tobin is a successful author and the
publisher of http://www.credit-card-debts.com. He writes on Downside-Up Marketing at www.online-affiliate-programs.com, and runs the Free Phone Site www.1st-free-internet.com. *Webmasters,
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