| Have you ever been a victim of credit card | | | | made an extra imprint of your card when he rung |
| fraud? If so, you know just how traumatic it can | | | | up your bill, and then used the number to go |
| be. Whats more, if you don't detected it early | | | | shopping. The solution? Many restaurants have |
| enough, it could leave bad marks on your credit | | | | placed their credit card processing centers in plain |
| report that could haunt you for many years. The | | | | view of the customers sight to combat this |
| most commonly thought of credit card fraud is | | | | problem. If not, you could follow the waiter to the |
| when your wallet or purse is stolen, and the thief | | | | charge station, and watch him throughout the |
| uses your credit cards to make unauthorized | | | | process. Its also important to make sure that |
| purchases. | | | | they know that they are being watched. |
| But, with the increasing rate of online buying, | | | | You may be wondering if there are other |
| another form of credit card fraudknown as | | | | measures that you can take to make sure you |
| misappropriationis spreading like wildfire. These | | | | arent a victim of credit card fraud? Yes there is |
| days the only thing a thief needs to create havoc | | | | and here are a few suggestions. |
| on your credit life is your credit card numbernot | | | | * If possible, carry your credit cards and other |
| your actual card. | | | | bank information somewhere other than your |
| Here are just a few ways that this type of fraud | | | | wallet or purse. This way, if a thief nabs it, you |
| can happen to you: | | | | will be out only your cashnot your credit cards. |
| * One day your telephone rings, you answer and | | | | * Another way is to only take the credit card |
| the person on the other end of the line tells you | | | | that you intend to use that dayleave the others |
| that they have a one time special offer, good for | | | | at home. |
| today onlyand that you simply need to provide | | | | * Make a list of all your credit cards and keep it in |
| them with your credit card number to make a | | | | a safe place, make sure to list the numbers and |
| purchase. STOP! Dont ever give out your credit | | | | contact information of the issuing company. That |
| card number to anyone who calls you. Only | | | | way, if you do lose them, youll have the |
| provide this kind of information if you have called | | | | information necessary to contact the credit card |
| the company to place an order, and you are | | | | company as soon as you notice the theft. |
| positive that it is a well-established reputable | | | | * Never sign a blank receipt, and always be sure |
| business. | | | | to cross out blank lines. For example, if you |
| * You find that someone has gone through your | | | | bought something that didnt require a tip, cross |
| trash. Then when you receive your credit card | | | | out the tip line so nobody can add to it later. |
| statement, you find that there are dozens of | | | | * If you're making a purchase online, be sure that |
| unauthorized charges. STOP! Always tear up your | | | | you do so via a secure site. |
| credit card receipts and bank statements before | | | | * If you move, report your new address to your |
| putting them in the trash. Better yet, buy a paper | | | | credit card issuer immediately. Also fill out a |
| shredder from a local office supply. Many thieves | | | | change of address form at the post office. |
| go through unguarded trash bags specifically | | | | Sneaky thieves are on the look out for people |
| looking for your credit card staments. | | | | moving, and then watch the mailbox of the old |
| * You go out to eat in a restaurant and pay the | | | | house, hoping that they can intercept a credit |
| bill with your credit card. On your next credit card | | | | card statement. |
| statement, you notice that there are unauthorized | | | | Following the above suggestions doesn't guarantee |
| charges that started the same day as your | | | | you'll never be a victim of credit card fraud, but it |
| restaurant meal. It turns out that the waiter | | | | will greatly reduce your chances. |