10 Tips To Prevent Credit Card Fraud
Imagine opening your credit card statement one morning and discovering to your horror that you suddenly owe thousands of dollars - on purchases that you never made.
Impossible?
Credit card fraud on the rise, so you need to treat your card and its information with extreme care.
Here are 10 tips to help insure you're not the victim of thieves and fraudsters:
1. Sign new and replacement cards immediately.
2. Destroy the old cards by cutting them into pieces and shred all old receipts and bills.
3. Don't fax your credit-card number, if possible. Remember, the faxed document could remain in sight at the other end for long periods of time.
4. Don't give your card number over the phone unless you have initiated the call.
5. Destroy any carbon paper if it's used as part of the credit card transaction. Somebody can grab it and forge your signature.
6. Don't respond to any "scam" e-mails requesting your credit card number.
7. Never send your credit card number in an e-mail to anyone!
8. A good option for discouraging theft is to choose a credit card that includes your photo and signature on the card.
9. If you have questions about mistakes or unauthorized items on your statement, you have the right to challenge them.
10. If your card is lost, stolen, or you suspect fraudulent use, call your company's 24-hour hotline immediately to prevent your card from being used as little as possible. The company will block its use, and you won't be responsible for any charges made by thieves.
You'll never deter fraudsters completely. But you can certainly make life as difficult as possible for them.
About The Author
Paul Davis is financial writer and contributor to 'Debt Elimination 4U'. Visit the site now and learn how to get out of debt forever: http://Debt-Elimination-4U.com
MORE RESOURCES:
 BBC News | Former Credit Suisse broker arrested in US Swissinfo, Switzerland - A former Credit Suisse broker has been arrested for fraud and conspiracy over deceptive sales of subprime-related auction-rate debt in the United States. ... Former Credit Suisse broker charged with subprime-linked fraud in ... UPDATE 1-FBI arrests ex-Credit Suisse broker Criminal charges for ex-Credit Suisse brokers |
S&P cuts O'Charley's credit ratings CNNMoney.com - S&P on Thursday cut the company's corporate credit rating to "B+" from "BB-" and its senior secured credit facility rating to "BB" from "BB+. ... Cut north-west or bust Upstate NY water authority rated AA |
 CEP News | S&P upgrades Raytheon credit ratings 1 notch CNNMoney.com - S&P upgraded the company's long-term corporate credit rating to "A-" from "BBB+." The outlook is "Stable." The Waltham, Mass. ... S&P puts Fifth Third on credit watch Credit rating soars in District 300 Starbucks downgraded to 'BBB' on weakening credit metrics - S&P |
When the Bank Closes Your Credit Account Washington Post, United States - By Joan Goldwasser Q I received a notice from Capital One that it is closing my credit card account because of inactivity. If the company closes the account ... Capital One Spurned Mortgages For Credit Cards - CFO |
The Upcoming Technology of RFID For Contactless Access Control ... MarketWatch - This technology is now being rolled out in the UK and around the World for so called 'BioMetric passports' and credit cards because there are no physical ... |
Credit Crunch: The Sequel U.S. News & World Report, DC - And that certainly seemed to be the case in March when investment bank Bear Stearns became the highest-profile victim of the credit crisis. ... UPDATE 1-US banks' direct borrowing hits record in week UPDATE:Comml Bks Set Record For Avg Discount Window Borrowing The Market: What the Pros Are Saying |
Legg Mason's stock hit by Credit Suisse downgrade Reuters - Credit Suisse analyst Craig Siegenthaler downgraded Legg Mason, the No. 2 publicly traded US asset management company, to "underperform" from "neutral," ... After Credit Suisse downgrade, Legg shares fall Legg Mason leads financials lower Legg Mason shares slide after ratings downgrade |
 CBC.ca | Canada bank CEOs see more credit crisis uncertainty Reuters - By Lynne Olver CALGARY, Alberta, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Fallout from the US subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent credit crunch has left nagging regulatory ... Markets still rocky but underlying environment 'benign': Deutsche ... |
Credit Suisse appoints India investment banking MD Hindu Business Line, India - MUMBAI: Credit Suisse on Friday announced the appointment of Mr Pankaj Kalra as the Managing Director of its India investment banking department. ... Credit Suisse hires Merrill banker in India Credit Suisse appoints Pankaj Kalra, MD, investment banking Merrill Lynch Hires Dick Barrett and Mark Ellman to Strengthen ... |
UPDATE 2-Lehman credit spreads widen amid KDB speculation Reuters - Lehman's credit default swaps rose 20 basis points to 345 basis points, or $345000 per year for five years to insure $10 million in debt, from 325 basis ... Credit crunch: Small Korean bank in $6bn bid to rescue Lehman Southpaw: Blood now, pay later: banks get ready for bonus season Lehman nears rescue deal with KDB |
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