| There are some things in life we can at times be | | | | suspicious do not use it but instead report it |
| completely helpless to stop. Unfortunately becoming | | | | immediately. Small cameras attached above to read |
| the victim of credit card fraud is very often an event | | | | your PIN or skimmers attached to the insertion area |
| that falls into this category. All you can do is take as | | | | are two such devices to keep an eye open for. |
| many precautions as possible to help avoid an | | | | 6. When handing your card over the counter in a shop |
| unpleasant shock when reading your mail one morning | | | | to make a purchase be very aware of what the |
| or logging on to your internet banking service. | | | | assistant is doing with your card. All it takes is one |
| Worryingly credit card fraud is becoming a growing | | | | quick swipe in his machine under the desk for all your |
| problem and accounts for £1million per day in the | | | | details to be no longer just yours. |
| UK alone. So, what steps can you take to avoid | | | | 7. If you have to give out your card information over |
| becoming part of statistics like this? I've outlined 10 | | | | the phone only do it with reputable companies and |
| helpful hints for you: | | | | certainly only when it is you who started the call. |
| 1. Although with the advent of chip & pin this is | | | | 8. You should know at all times where your credit card |
| becoming less important, you must sign new cards as | | | | is. Mine is always in my wallet and if it isn't there I know |
| soon as you receive them. | | | | there is something wrong. Credit cards are not large |
| 2. Shred your old cards. A card you never use is one | | | | objects and coupled with the amount of times we use |
| that is easy to lose and forget about and it's therefore | | | | them in our daily lives, they can be lost very easily. |
| very important to destroy these cards. | | | | Contact your issuer immediately to get the card |
| 3. Never send your credit card details in an email. Even | | | | blocked. If you don't and the criminal goes on a |
| if you are just sending them to a friend, imagine how | | | | shopping spree then your lack of action could |
| many wrong hands those details could be into within | | | | potentially harm your protection against having to foot |
| minutes if someone intercepts the email. You will never | | | | the bill. |
| receive an email from your bank or an e-commerce | | | | 9. Going on holiday is a time when you are likely to be |
| company such as Amazon asking you to confirm your | | | | using your card a lot and is also a time you would least |
| bank details. The 'from' field in an email is extremely | | | | want the hassle associated with having your card |
| easy to forge so even if it appears to be Amazon | | | | stolen. You should therefore wear a money belt |
| who sent it, its from a thief using a dangerous | | | | especially when travelling in countries you are unfamiliar |
| technique known as 'phishing'. | | | | with. |
| 4. Likewise never fax or send a letter with your details | | | | 10. Go through your statement with a fine tooth and |
| on them. The only place where your numbers should | | | | comb every month and reconcile every transaction |
| be permanently visible is on the card itself. So destroy | | | | with the receipt. Thieves could be stealthily using your |
| or carefully file away any statements you receive. | | | | credit card details without you noticing as opposed to |
| You wouldn't give anyone on the street your bank | | | | quickly maxing out the card which would bring it |
| statement so don't leave it intact in your garbage for | | | | immediately to your attention. |
| anyone on the street to find. | | | | Like any crime, credit card fraud will never go away |
| 5. Be extremely wary of random strangers talking to | | | | but if you follow some of these tips then you can at |
| you or trying to distract you while using an ATM | | | | least reduce the likelihood of falling victim to it. |
| machine. Also if anything about the machine looks | | | | |