| Are you aware of how many ways there are for | | | | pin numbers etc. somewhere safe and never with |
| thieves to take access of your credit card accounts | | | | your cards. If it is possible, the safest thing to do is to |
| and make unauthorised charges against your account? | | | | memorise and then destroy pin numbers. |
| Simply by rummaging through old receipts that you | | | | If your card is out of sight during a transaction try to |
| have thrown out or left somewhere public, or by a | | | | see what is going on behind the counter and seek to |
| shop assistant quickly scribbling down your card details | | | | get it back as soon as possible. While still relatively |
| while they are out of your sight, or by an | | | | rare, there is a lot of information on your card, which |
| untrustworthy seller who you give your details to on | | | | can be copied and used later on. You should destroy |
| the phone, by mail or on the internet, your private | | | | receipts if you do not need them. You should also |
| account details can be taken and abused by anyone. | | | | check carefully all your monthly statements and make |
| While most of these situations are quite rare, and there | | | | sure that all charges were in fact made by you. IF you |
| are safety measures in place to avoid the abuses | | | | have any doubts, contact your card issuer immediately |
| they highlight, it is a fact that credit card fraud and | | | | to sort it out. |
| identity theft is a growing problem that is costing the | | | | Do's and Don'ts |
| financial services industry more and more each year. | | | | Never leave your cards lying around where others can |
| Therefore it is important to be aware of the potential | | | | get access to them and don't lend your card to |
| dangers and be familiar with a few simple steps you | | | | anyone. Don't sign blank receipts and never give your |
| can take to reduce the risk that you will become the | | | | account details over the phone, by mail or on the |
| victim of identity theft. | | | | Internet unless you are sure you are dealing with a |
| Take The Right Steps | | | | company that you know and can trust. |
| One of the simplest steps you can take is to sign all | | | | If you do suspect fraud, or if you lose your cards, |
| your cards on the signature strip on the back as soon | | | | report it immediately to your card issuer. By following |
| as they arrive. You can also consider carrying your | | | | these simple steps you should be able to considerably |
| cards separately from your wallet and driver's licence | | | | reduce the risks of card fraud being perpetrated |
| so that if someone were to find them, they wouldn't | | | | against you. |
| necessarily have your identity and address. Keep your | | | | |