Credit card fraud can be hard to detect and sometimes hard to recover from. Credit card fraudsters are always more clever when it comes to stealing your credit card information. They can even trick you into giving out your credit card information or steal your credit card number right in front of you.
No matter how smart credit card thieves get, it’s important for all cardholders to practice some basic credit card safety habits to avoid credit card fraud.
How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud
Don’t loan your credit card to anyone. First, you can’t be sure they’re only going to charge what they say they will. If they overspend with your credit card, you’re ultimately responsible. Second, no one will be as careful with your credit card as you will. It’s never a good idea to let someone else use your credit card.
Always make sure you get your credit card back from cashiers and waiters. Double check your purse or wallet before you leave the store or wallet to confirm your credit card is back in your possession.
Don’t give your credit card number out over the phone unless you initiated the call to the customer service number listed on the back of your credit card. Some credit card thieves trick you into giving out your credit card number, expiration date, or security code by posing as your credit card company or another business you trust. Avoid giving out your credit card number to anyone who calls saying they’re from your credit card company. Instead, hang up the phone and call your card issuer using the number on the back of your credit card.
Don’t enter your credit card information in any email link. Credit card disguise emails to make them look like they came from your creditor. These emails typically encourage you to visit your card issuer’s website to resolve an issue with your credit card. If you click on the link, the email may look just like the real thing, but it’s probably fake. A credit card thief is simply trying to steal your login information by getting you to login to a fake site. If you suspect something is wrong with your credit card, either call your card issuer’s customer service or visit your card issuer’s real website by typing in the URL yourself.
Report address changes to your credit card issuer immediately. Your credit card billing statements include your credit card number. Not only that, if you order a new credit card and it goes to your old address, the new residents (or anyone else) could use the card. Whenever you move to a new address, let all your current billers know your address is changing. You can file a change of address with the postal service to have all your mail forwarded to your new address.
Never sign a blank credit card receipt. The cashier has the ability to write in any amount and send it through to your credit card issuer. It’d be hard for you to dispute the charge because, after all, the merchant as a copy of the receipt with your signature on it. If you’re given a blank receipt, write in the total amount and draw a line through any blank spaces. Ask for a copy of the receipt for your records, just in case you’re billed for a different amount.
Watch your credit card during transactions. Cashiers sometimes use a credit card skimmer to capture your credit card information. The device can easily be hidden, so if you look away for even a moment, your credit card number, security code, and expiration date can be stolen.
Shred any credit card applications you receive. Don’t simply toss them into the trash because dumpster divers can get them and apply for credit in your name. You should also shred your billing statements before putting them in the trash.
Keep your credit card number hidden when you’re using your card in a public place to keep thieves from taking a picture of your credit card with a camera or camera phone.
Never write your credit card number on the outside of a postcard, envelope, or any other piece of paper that will leave your possession. If there are documents with your credit card number on them inside your home, store them in a safe place, or shred them immediately.
Recovering From Credit Card Fraud
If you think you have been a victim of credit card fraud, contact your credit card issuer immediately. The sooner you let your card issuer know your credit card information has been stolen, the less financial responsibility you’ll have for fraudulent charges.
Monitor your billing statement closely and report any errors as quickly as possible. If you have the ability to check your credit card transactions online, login every few days to make sure no one is using your credit card.
While you still have your credit cards, write down your credit card issuer’s phone number and your card number for each of your credit cards. Store this piece of paper in a safe place and refer to it if your credit cards are ever lost or stolen.
Don't forget to let me send you future guides and tutorials. Just subscribe to the RSS feed, or just enter your email below; I'll make sure the updates are emailed to you.
