Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud takes place every day in a variety of ways. You can’t always prevent it from happening, but you can create some obstacles and make it tougher for someone to get hold of your cards and card numbers.
Theft is the most obvious form of credit card fraud and can happen in a variety of ways:
Dumpster divers looking for bank statements
A retail or bank website being hijacking
Dishonest service industry staff collecting your card information
Scam phone calls asking for card information promising false incentives
Incorporating a few practices into your daily routine can help keep your cards and account numbers safe:
Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates and the phone number to report fraud for each company in a secure place.
Don’t lend your card to anyone!
Don’t leave your cards, receipts, or statements around your home or office. When you no longer need them, shred them before throwing them away.
Always report any losses or suspicion of fraud to your financial institution or card issuer!
Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof way to stop credit card theft attempts, and fraudsters seem to always find new ways to tap into your information. But you can limit your chances of becoming a victim, or minimize the damages from fraudulent activity that’s already occurred on your accounts.