| Credit card companies and retailers are constantly | | | | If you have taken precautions and still find an |
| trying to devise new ways of making transactions | | | | unrecognised transaction on your statement, please do |
| more secure and putting measures in place to prevent | | | | not panic. Not every unfamiliar transaction is a result of |
| card fraud. The disruption caused to your life if you | | | | fraud. A large number of the enquiries banks receive |
| become a victim of credit card fraud generally only | | | | about unrecognised credit card payments turn out to |
| lasts a few days, but it often causes deep distress. | | | | be, in fact, the cardholders. Transactions can be billed |
| Fraudulent transactions in the UK topped over | | | | under a retailer group name, for instance Burtons may |
| £500 million last year - below are measures you | | | | also appear as 'Arcadia', and that transaction showing |
| can take to avoid contributing to this statistic. | | | | under a location 50 miles away may in fact be a local |
| - If you have trouble remember your PIN and need to | | | | transaction billed under a head office address. In the |
| write it down, do not keep the paper in the same place | | | | case of transactions made where a card is not |
| as your credit card as this will make using your card | | | | present, such as internet transactions, many are down |
| very easy if a fraudster steals your wallet. Consider | | | | to someone with a similar card number to your own |
| changing it to a number more memorable to you, but | | | | unwittingly mistyping their card number. |
| try to avoid obvious choices such as your date of birth, | | | | If you have an unrecognised transaction on your |
| which someone known to you could easily guess. | | | | statement call your card issuer. In some instances, the |
| - When shopping online, make sure you only use | | | | operator may be able to give you further information |
| secure sites and try to stick to reputable retailers. | | | | about the transaction that could jog your memory and |
| - Destroy all receipts and statements before binning | | | | help you recognise it. They will also be able to tell you |
| them, preferably by shredding the documents. This not | | | | if the transaction was keyed or if the card was |
| only will help prevent fraudsters from obtaining your | | | | present and a PIN number used. If you still do not |
| details to use for online or phone transactions, it will | | | | recognise it but the card is in your possession and you |
| also protect you from identity theft. | | | | have no further reasons to suspect fraud, most banks |
| - Do not give your PIN number out to anyone. Be wary | | | | then request written confirmation of this before they |
| of phone calls where operators request that you | | | | will process a credit. The retailer then has the option of |
| confirm your PIN number, or other personal information. | | | | sending supporting documentation through with further |
| Your bank will never ask you for your PIN. | | | | information about the charge. The transaction will be |
| - If you cannot find your credit card, call your card | | | | reapplied if the charge turns out to be genuine. In the |
| issuer and report it as lost immediately to avoid | | | | unfortunate event that the transaction is confirmed as |
| becoming liable for any transactions that could be | | | | fraud, your Bank will issue you with a new card and |
| made if it falls into the hands of a fraudster. Follow up | | | | pursue the fraudsters in conjunction with the police. No |
| the conversation with a letter, so your bank has | | | | further action will be required on your part. |
| written confirmation that the card is no longer in your | | | | Finally, remember to always check your statements! |
| possession. As soon as the card has been reported | | | | Getting a refund for your money and the likelihood of |
| lost or stolen your car issuer will put a stop on the card | | | | catching fraudsters can both be compromised if you |
| and issue you with a new one. Remember, it is better | | | | do not notice a fraudulent transaction until several |
| to be safe than sorry. | | | | months have passed by. |