| Identity theft is all too common this day in | | | | of your mailbox or even the trash and fill |
| age. It seems like the problem is growing to | | | | them out to obtain their own credit card |
| new extremes. As a major facet of identity | | | | under your name in no time at all. To reduce |
| theft, credit card fraud is also largely | | | | your chances of becoming a victim, check your |
| preventable by taking basic precautions and | | | | mail as soon as possible every day and be |
| using good financial common sense. Read on | | | | sure to shred all unwanted applications |
| for a few of the most effective ways to avoid | | | | before discarding them. |
| credit card fraud completely. | | | | |
| | | | Only Do Business with Secure Websites |
| Keep Your Digits to Yourself | | | | |
| | | | The web has a reputation for being sort of |
| Don't let anyone borrow your credit card or | | | | the Wild West when it comes to credit cards. |
| have access to your credit card number. A | | | | The perception is that information is stolen |
| large amount of credit card fraud happens | | | | routinely and identity thieves are abundant. |
| simply as a result of not paying close enough | | | | While it's always better to be safe than |
| attention to who is doing what with your | | | | sorry, this notion of online lawlessness is |
| card. Keep tabs on who has your card and for | | | | largely a misperception. In fact, when doing |
| how long. For example, most of the time at | | | | business with reputable businesses online, |
| retail stores and even at restaurants you can | | | | your credit card info is probably even safer |
| see what's going on with your card. If at | | | | than it would be in a typical offline |
| all possible, watch to make sure no one is | | | | transaction. Just make sure the connection |
| "mishandling" your credit while processing | | | | is secure (look for the padlock logo in your |
| it. | | | | browser) and that you completely trust the |
| | | | company you're paying. |
| Destroy Old Receipts | | | | |
| | | | Review Your Statement |
| Even though it is now a law in many places | | | | |
| that transaction receipts must not display | | | | Often considered a last resort when taking |
| any more than the last few digits of your | | | | steps to avoid credit card fraud, reviewing |
| credit card number as part of the print out, | | | | your account statement line by line is also a |
| that's really no guarantee that your personal | | | | surefire way to catch any misuse of your card |
| and credit card info is not still there. | | | | before it's too late. Simply by reporting |
| Make sure none of the receipts from the use | | | | any misuse to your card issuing bank, most |
| of your credit card are left behind for the | | | | liability is averted right then and there. |
| next person to see. It's best to destroy old | | | | On the other hand, choosing to just pay the |
| receipts by shredding them once they're no | | | | bill without looking at the charges listed is |
| longer needed. | | | | a great way to be an ongoing victim of credit |
| | | | card fraud. |
| Shred Credit Card Applications | | | | |
| | | | Knowing how to avoid credit card fraud is |
| Think about how many credit card applications | | | | mostly accomplished by being aware of how |
| you receive by mail in the course of a month | | | | fraudsters practice their trade, but even |
| or so. Each and every one of these is | | | | more so, by taking easy, basic steps to |
| practically an invitation for fraudsters to | | | | protect your identity. Don't allow yourself |
| take advantage. They can get them right out | | | | to be a victim! |