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