| Identity theft is quickly becoming one of the most | | | | haven't stolen the number and expiration date. |
| dangerous crimes in America. People are losing | | | | 3. Temporary Numbers |
| thousands of dollars and months, if not years, of their | | | | Third, look into finding a credit card that provides |
| lives to correct the damage to their credit and their | | | | temporary numbers for Internet purchases. This is a |
| reputations. A large part of identity theft is credit card | | | | new feature of certain credit card companies out |
| fraud, where somebody either uses your credit cards | | | | there to prevent fraud. Each time you buy something |
| to make illegal purchases, or opens up a completely | | | | online, your card provides you with a unique new |
| new credit card in your name and goes on a spending | | | | number known only to you. |
| spree to end all spending sprees. | | | | 4. Get a Shredder |
| 1. Be Careful with Your Personal Information Online | | | | When it comes to preventing criminals from opening up |
| It's really no laughing matter, though, and you should | | | | new cards in your name, one of the tried and true |
| take serious steps to avoiding credit card fraud. One | | | | ways to prevent this form of fraud is by shredding |
| of the best ways to avoid credit card fraud is to be | | | | each and every document that comes to you in the |
| careful with your online purchases. Many Web sites will | | | | mail. This includes every new credit card offer, as well |
| store your credit card information on them, leaving | | | | as the statements you throw out from your current |
| your valuable information out there on the Internet for | | | | cards. Especially be sure to shred those checks that |
| hackers to steal. That makes it important to always | | | | credit card companies send you. |
| decline a Web site that asks to store your personal | | | | 5. Examine Your Credit Report |
| information. Sure you may have to re-enter your info | | | | Lastly, take up the credit bureaus' offers to allow you |
| every time your make a purchase at a site, but the | | | | to examine your credit reports for free. These credit |
| extra effort is well worth it. | | | | reports allow you to be certain that no one has |
| 2. The Verification Code | | | | opened a credit card in your name without your |
| Another good step is to only shop at Internet sites that | | | | permission. They also allow you to see if you have old |
| require you to enter the special three-digit code on the | | | | credit card accounts open that you've forgotten about, |
| back of your credit card. Basically, entering these | | | | accounts that are best closed before someone steals |
| codes from the back of your card prove to the online | | | | your identity through them. |
| vendor that you have the actual card in hand, and | | | | |