| Simple Steps Consumers Should Take to Protect | | | | give out credit card information over the phone unless |
| Against Credit Card Fraud | | | | placing a phone order with a reputable company. |
| The quintessential tool of the modern shopper, credit | | | | - Closely check credit card statements. Report and |
| cards have revolutionized the way we all conduct our | | | | dispute any suspicious charges immediately with the |
| business. Unfortunately, as credit cards have made it | | | | credit card company. Call the credit card company |
| ever easier to buy, they have also made it ever easier | | | | preemptively and ask to be notified of any unusual |
| to steal. The troubling problems of credit card fraud | | | | activity occurs on the card. If possible, enroll in the |
| and identity theft have reached epidemic proportions | | | | credit card's fraud protection plan to cover any |
| as credit card use grows more widespread. | | | | fraudulent use; the cost of the plan is worth the peace |
| Americans use credit cards to pay for everything | | | | of mind it will bring. |
| from gas to groceries, from clothing to college tuition. | | | | Because the threat of fraud looms so large, it is |
| More than half of American credit card holders use | | | | important to report a lost credit card immediately to |
| their cards every day. Every time they hand that card | | | | the issuing company. The moment the loss is noted, it |
| over to someone to swipe, or give out that number to | | | | should be reported in order to suspend activity on the |
| place a phone order, they are giving someone the | | | | card. Consumers who believe they may have |
| opportunity to commit fraud. Because using credit | | | | misplaced the card at home should still call the credit |
| cards to pay for things is so easy, obtaining the credit | | | | card company; this is one instance where it is definitely |
| card numbers can give thieves ample opportunities to | | | | better to error on the side of caution. Ask the |
| steal. | | | | company to place a hold on the account, or to call |
| Consumers can make it harder for thieves by taking a | | | | before authorizing any charges for a period of 24 |
| few basic steps to protect their information: | | | | hours to allow for a through search. If the missing card |
| - Actively track credit card receipts. Bring them home | | | | turns up, a simple call to the company should reinstate |
| from the store and check them against the credit card | | | | charging privileges. If the card cannot be found, the |
| statement when it arrives in the mail. Shred receipts | | | | company can cancel that number and reissue a card |
| with credit card numbers after checking the statement. | | | | with a new account number. Payment history and |
| - Be suspicious. Do not give out credit card information | | | | account age with the company will transfer, with no |
| to anyone other than trusted vendors. Do not reply to | | | | negative impact on credit score. |
| e-mails that request credit card information. Do not | | | | |