| As technology has increased, so has credit | | | | write your PIN (Personal Identification |
| card fraud. There are some simple steps that | | | | Number) on the back of the card. |
| you can take to help protect yourself from | | | | |
| credit card fraud. Let's look at these more | | | | Record: It is a good idea to write down all |
| closely. | | | | of your credit card account numbers and the |
| | | | expirations dates. You should also include |
| Keep It Close: You should never let your | | | | the contact phone numbers and addresses of |
| credit card out of sight unless it cannot be | | | | the card issuer. Keep this list in a very |
| helped. | | | | secure place where no one else can get to it. |
| | | | Use it in case of fire or flood damage to |
| Tight Lips: Never give your credit card | | | | your home. |
| number out over the phone unless you are | | | | |
| certain you know who you are talking to or | | | | Be Prompt: One of the best defenses against |
| ordering from. The best advice for phone | | | | credit card fraud is to open your statement |
| orders is that you make the call. This | | | | as soon as you get it. Look for any |
| assures you that you are talking to the | | | | unauthorized charges. If you find |
| people who are at the number dialed. If | | | | unauthorized charges report those charges |
| someone calls you, do not give out your | | | | immediately to the credit card issuer. |
| information. There are no legitimate | | | | |
| companies who call and ask for credit card | | | | Be Tidy: Anything with your credit card |
| numbers. | | | | information on it should be destroyed as soon |
| | | | as you no longer need it. If you cannot |
| The same holds true for emails. Legitimate | | | | destroy it, place it in a secure box. |
| companies do not email customers requesting | | | | |
| credit card information. This type of credit | | | | Cut the Carbon: Carbon copy paper is not used |
| card fraud has become a global problem. This | | | | much anymore but you still see it in some |
| same type of credit card fraud might ask you | | | | places. Make sure you get the carbon copy |
| to go to a website to verify personal | | | | from the vendor and that you either destroy |
| information and card information. Do not go | | | | it or secure it. |
| there. This is known as phishing (pronounced | | | | |
| fishing). | | | | Notify: If you are planning to move, notify |
| | | | the issuer in advance and make arrangements |
| Sign It: Make it a habit to always sign the | | | | for your mail delivery during the transition. |
| back of your credit card the moment you get | | | | You do not want your statements arriving at |
| it. | | | | the old address. You should also contact the |
| | | | Post Office. |
| Shred It: If you get credit card applications | | | | |
| that you are not planning to apply for shred | | | | If you suspect credit card fraud, contact the |
| them immediately. This can help avoid future | | | | issuer immediately. Most companies have a |
| credit card fraud should someone take the | | | | toll free phone number you can use for this. |
| application from your trash bin. | | | | Keep in mind that in cases of credit card |
| | | | fraud much of your liability is determined by |
| Secure Sites: When giving out information on | | | | how fast you contact the issuer. |
| a website, make sure the site is secure. You | | | | |
| should see a small lock icon on secure pages. | | | | According to federal law, once you have |
| | | | reported the loss or theft of your credit |
| Protect the PIN: Keep your PIN in a place | | | | card, you are not responsibility for |
| that is not near the credit card. Do not | | | | unauthorized charges. |