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February 12, 2001
By
John Tobin
Website:
http://www.capital-one-visa.net
>
Credit Card Fraud: 4-Step Protection Guide to Credit Card Fraud
We have put together some basic rules to protect yourself from credit card fraud of all types.
To limit the potential for credit card fraud if your credit cards are lost or stolen:
- Keep a list of the names, account numbers and the expiration dates of your cards in a
safe place. This will aid you when alerting your credit grantors of the lost or stolen
card.
- Call your credit grantors immediately after discovering your cards are missing. Most
have 24 hour toll free numbers for this purpose. If you rethe account, ensure they
have your correct address.
- Carry only the identification and credit cards you need when traveling - whether locally
or out of town.
- Do not carry your credit cards in your checkbook.
- If your checkbook is lost or stolen, call your bank. Inform them of the check numbers
missing.
- If your Social Security Card is missing, contact the Social Security Administration.
- If your Driver's License is missing, contact the appropriate agency in your area.
To limit the potential for credit card fraud when using your credit cards:
- Sign your credit cards in permanent ink as soon as you receive them.
- When making a purchase, keep your card in view at all times. Retrieve it as soon as the
transaction is completed and make sure it is yours.
- Do not sign a blank charge slip. Draw a line through the lines above the total line.
- Destroy any carbons.
- Always save your receipts. Never leave them behind.
- If requested to show a credit card as identification when using a check, do not let the
sales clerk write down the account number.
- Avoid saying your account number if others can hear.
- Only provide your ID and credit card information over the phone to companies with whom
you have initiated the call. Never provide it to a solicitor. If you are interested in the
product, ask them to send you information. Any legitimate company will be happy to comply.
To limit the potential for credit card fraud, review your credit card statements:
- Check your statement as soon as it arrives to ensure the charges are correct.
- Keep statements in a safe place. They contain sensitive information.
- Before discarding old statements, even of closed accounts, rip them into small pieces or
shred them.
- If your statement does not arrive, call your credit card issuer.
- If called by your issuer and the caller asks for your account number, do not provide it.
If the caller is with the issuer, they will know your number.
To limit the potential for credit card fraud when using ATMs and PINs:
- Shield your numbers while using the ATM.
- Never leave your receipts behind.
- Choose a PIN that is unique. Use a number other than your birthday, Social Security
number or other obvious number.
- Never write down your PIN in your checkbook or on your cards. It is best to memorize it.
To limit the potential for credit card fraud when using the mail service:
- If your mail stops, check with the Post Office. Sometimes a change of address is
submitted by a credit card fraud perpetrator in an attempt to get your mail.
- If you apply for a new card and it does not arrive, contact the issuer.
To limit the potential for credit card fraud, check your credit file:
- It is beneficial to check your credit profile periodically. There are three national
credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian (formerly TRW) and Trans Union.
Here's to your credit!
John Tobin
For
more information on credit card fraud - click here!
> About The Author:John Tobin is a successful author and the
publisher of http://www.capital-one-visa.net. He teaches Downside-Up Marketing at www.online-affiliate-programs.com, and runs the Free Phone Site at www.1st-free-internet.com. *Webmasters,
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