Useful Tips On Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud
Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While theft is the most obvious form of fraud, it can occur in other ways. For example, someone may use your card number without your knowledge.
It's not always possible to prevent credit or charge card fraud from happening. But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers and minimize the possibility.
Do:
Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.
Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment, a business card holder, or another small pouch.
Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place. Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
Void incorrect receipts.
Destroy carbons.
Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
Report any questionable charges promptly to the card issuer.
Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
Don't:
Lend your card(s) to anyone.
Leave cards or receipts lying around.
Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
Give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a company you know is reputable.
Reporting Losses and Fraud If you lose your credit or charge cards or if you realize they've been lost or stolen, immediately call the issuer(s).
Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies.
You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.
MORE RESOURCES:
 Boston Globe | 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 |
Capital One Spurned Mortgages For Credit Cards - CFO CNNMoney.com - NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- In its four-year transformation from a credit card issuer into a bank, Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) stayed away from one of the ... |
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 |
 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 Boosts Institutional Coverage |
 Minyanville.com | As the Credit Strains Linger, Pimco’s Gross Calls for Intervention New York Times Blogs, NY - Banks and businesses are still having trouble raising money, according to data on Thursday that reinforced the prospect that the year-long US credit crisis ... Freaky Friday Potpourri: Help Wanted in Washington! Pimco's Bill Gross hits the panic button 'Financial Tsunami' To Engulf Markets, Says Pimco's Gross |
S&P puts Fifth Third credit on ‘watch’ Bizjournals.com, NC - Standard & Poor’s ratings service put Fifth Third Bancorp’s long-term credit rating on watch for a possible downgrade Wednesday as part of a pending review ... S&P places Fifth Third on negative credit watch TEXT-S&P release on Fifth Third Bancorp Robert Baird reaffirms "Outperform" on Fifth Third |
Credit - Google News
Credit Card Balance Transfers Explained
What is a balance transfer ? A balance transfer can be explained simply as a balance transfer! When a balance is transferred usually from a credit card, but possible from a bank account or loan to a credit card with a offer interest rate (usually 0%) for a set period. It does not have to be the entire amount.
UPS Delivers the Goods, Your Identity
Well now we add CitiGroup and UPS to the Identity Theft corporations who have allowed Americans identity to be lost. Each time we have another identity theft case, we find larger and large numbers being lost.
Credit and Its Cost
What is Credit? Credit is money granted by a lender (or creditor) to a debtor (or borrower) whereby the lender defers receiving payment of the debt for a period. In exchange for the credit allowed, the lender will get back the money lent plus interest.
Understanding Credit Card Penalties
Because most of us have one or two credit cards and we use them every day, understanding credit card penalties and fees is a significant issue since one time or another we have paid a penalty for some reason. Every user of a credit card must first understand that every charge on the credit card represent a loan which must be repaid.
Ethical Finance: Who Benefits From Our Spending?
On one hand consumers are being universally criticised for running up significant amounts of debt on credit cards, yet conversely many companies are capitalising on the growing credit card debt, from charities and political organisations to football clubs, the Association of Surgeons and somewhat ironically ActionAid, an international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide.Financial comparison site moneynet.
Is it Safe to Use Online Car Finance?
Online car finance is convenient. You can apply over the net and shop around for a good deal from the comfort of your home.
How to Save Money on Your Credit Cards
Credit card companies make their money on the 85% of us who fail to pay the outstanding balance each month. Even if you are not in a position to pay the balance each month you can still save some money if use your card wisely.
Credit Report - How to Improve Your Credit Score
One of the great mysteries of life is how the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union) score credit. They all have secret statistical formulas for determining your credit score, but they are unwilling to divulge exactly what, exactly, constitutes your score.
Beware of Bogus Credit Repair Companies!
So-called "credit repair" companies claim they can remove negative information from credit reports. Advertising as "Credit Advisors," "Credit Rating Correction Services" or "Credit Consultants," they trumpet variations on this message: "Turned down because of bad credit? We can help!" Many of these companies charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the promise to "clean up" bad credit reports.
Make Sure Your Credit Report Is Correct to Improve Your Interest Rates And Lower Insurance Premiums
Did you know that you could make sure to get the best rates on your auto and homeowners insurance simply by having a good credit score.Additionally a great credit score will allow you to get the best interest rates on your credit cards, car loans and even your home mortgage.
All You Wanted to Know of Bad Credit
Martin Henderson is in a fix these days. Because of his failure to repay a loan he had taken a few years back, he has been adjudged as a bad credit case.
SuperCharged Secret 4, Credit Card Utopia
YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, AND I'LL BUY SOME MORE BEER!Let's just take a brief moment to recap:If you've been following along on this journey with me, learning the 5 Super-Charged secrets to Credit Card Utopia, then you now know 3 very important things:You now know how to take advantage of zero to low interest credit card offers.You now know that there is safety in numbers, and you know the magic "Who's Who" of the major credit card companies.
Good vs. Bad Credit Debt
Do you know the difference between good and bad credit debt? Most everyone seems to think that all debt is bad, but that is not always the case. In fact, there are some instances where good debt can actually help your financial situation.
Pitfalls of the Credit Industry
The credit industry if rife with pitfalls. If you have ever owned a credit card you probably already have learned this the hard way.
How To Use Your Credit Cards Wisely
Are you one of the thousands pulling your hair out trying to figure out how you're going to pay your credit card bills? Using your credit cards wisely and sensibly will help you avoid financial problems and establish a strong credit rating, so here's some information to help you get your credit card problems under control.Credit cards are convenient for buying things now and paying later.
What Can Happen to You as a Victim of Identity Theft, Facts & Figure
Is identity theft really that serious? Thousands of people every year are victims of this terrible crime. Thieves use your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes in your name and can cause significant credit damage.
Learn The Truth About Identity Theft
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, according to a recently released FTC study. Did you know that the term "identity theft" did not exist until just a few years ago? It is a recent phenomenon that is causing a great furor around the world.
What Is a FICO Score and How Do I Make It Work for Me?
Whether or not you receive a loan and what interest rate you get on your credit card may be determined by something called a FICO score. Named for Fair, Isaac & Co.
Five Credit Card Billing Problems and How to Fix Them
It goes without saying that your first and best defense against paying fraudulent or unfair charges on your credit card is knowing what your bill says! When you receive your credit card statement each month, sit down with it and check each item to make sure that you actually DID purchase it. If you do run into inaccuracies or problems, there are procedures to follow to report and deal with the charges.
What is Credit Card and Debit Card Blocking?
Have you ever been told you were over your credit card limit, or had your debit card declined, even though you knew you had available credit or money in your bank account? If this happened shortly after you stayed in a hotel or rented a car, the problem could have been card "blocking."What is Blocking?When you use a credit or debit card to check into a hotel or rent a car, the clerk usually contacts the company that issued your card to give an estimated total.