| Credit card fraud is on the rise, with | | | | will get into the hands that you intended it |
| certain sources claiming that the internet | | | | to. > Do not purchase from a company |
| has been the breading ground of this illegal | | | | online, should you have any doubts |
| industry. With reports suggesting that around | | | | whatsoever. Should the company fail to |
| 1 in 40 transactions are fraudulent, how can | | | | provide a legitimate address and phone |
| we as consumers avoid facing the brunt of | | | | number, do not contract with them. Dealing |
| credit card fraud? Credit card fraud can be | | | | with an incorporated or limited company is |
| as hard to trace, as it is easy to commit. | | | | generally safer. > Should you lose your |
| That is why we can never be certain where our | | | | purse or wallet then contact your credit card |
| details were taken, and what methodology was | | | | provider immediately. > Do not give away |
| used. From online shopping, to your local | | | | your credit card details on incoming |
| café, anyone could have taken your | | | | telephone phone calls or emails. > Ensure |
| details, whilst it may not be them that use | | | | that you keep your credit card in a |
| your details directly. It is reported that | | | | physically safe place. Never let your bag out |
| wholesale credit card details are worth | | | | of your sight when you are away from home. |
| around $8 each. This is an indication of | | | | > Many restaurants and clubs for example |
| several factors, firstly the routine | | | | will embark in the process of the waiter or |
| processes of fraud that is in place, and | | | | waitress taking your credit card away to |
| secondly the sheer scale of the operation. | | | | input your details into the machine. This is |
| Did you know that Nigeria sees credit card | | | | an example of giving an opportunity to |
| fraud as its 3rd biggest Industry? A complete | | | | someone where by they can note your details. |
| resolution to credit card fraud would see the | | | | However, you also provide the same |
| Nigerian economy plummet into deep recession | | | | opportunities during telephone transactions |
| that would inevitably be aided, in some way, | | | | and certain internet transactions. > |
| by western organisations and governments. A | | | | Should you be purchasing over the internet, |
| popular Nigerian music act recently published | | | | one of the safest ways to pay is through |
| a song, with lyrics that mimic and ridicule | | | | using a third-party merchant service such as |
| the less than savvy consumers that suffers as | | | | Pay Pal or World Pay. > Should you be a |
| a result of their crime. But how can we put a | | | | victim of credit card fraud ensure that you |
| stop to this, or at least avoid it as much as | | | | report this immediately, also remembering to |
| possible? > Never provide credit card | | | | contact the company that was affected. This |
| details or bank information via email. > | | | | will radically decrease the chances of the |
| Should you complete an online purchase then | | | | goods being delivered to the customer, and |
| ensure that the address bar reads rather | | | | you having to pay any fine to your credit |
| than This means your data was encrypted and | | | | card company. |