| As the number of credit card users sees an | | | | making your payment. |
| unprecedented growth, credit card fraud has | | | | - Try to avoid using it if the system used by the |
| increased too. It is easy to commit and criminals do not | | | | merchant prints receipts with your full credit card |
| have to be very experienced or professional to | | | | details. |
| execute it. However, it will put you through much | | | | - Always tear up your receipts and bills before |
| unnecessary trouble. | | | | disposing them. |
| Some ways to steal your CC Number | | | | - Check your statements conscientiously. Make sure |
| - Some retailers use systems that print your full | | | | you recall making each and every transaction on the |
| number, name and expiry date on the receipts. This is | | | | statement. |
| all the information required for criminals to make | | | | - Keep your credit cards safe. |
| payments online or over the telephone. | | | | - Do not reveal your PINs/passwords to anyone. |
| - Retail merchant or employees may use the details | | | | Ensure that they are difficult for anyone to guess. |
| obtained during payments and use them dishonestly. | | | | Store them at a place different from your credit card. |
| - High-tech skimming devices fixed to ATM machines | | | | If you were to lose your wallet which contains both |
| or point-of-sale processing equipments record credit | | | | your PINs/passwords and your card, you would have |
| card numbers and information. This information may be | | | | made it easier for the one who finds your wallet to |
| used to make duplicate cards. | | | | max out your credit card or make cash advances. |
| - Criminals could simply steal your card and use it by | | | | - If you are making payments online or over the |
| forging your signature until you realize it is missing. | | | | telephone, be sure that the merchants are trustworthy. |
| - Bogus websites marketing products or services may | | | | Check the security features available and know that |
| be created just so that interested consumers will | | | | they are reliable. |
| provide their details to make purchases. These card | | | | What should you do if you realize your credit card |
| details can be then used by the website owner. | | | | number is stolen? |
| Criminals do not always need your card to steal from | | | | - If you find transactions in your bill that you don't |
| you. Just having your details will suffice. Now that you | | | | remember making, report it to your credit card |
| know how such fraud can be committed, you are | | | | company immediately. This will prevent you from being |
| better equipped to prevent it. | | | | responsible for the total bill. The company will contact |
| Some ways to prevent your credit card number from | | | | the authorities and help them to catch the criminal. |
| being stolen | | | | - If you realize that it is missing, report it to the |
| - Much is being done in order to stop credit card fraud. | | | | company as well as the police as soon as possible. |
| Credit card processing equipments are constantly | | | | As you can see, there is not much you can do once |
| upgraded for this purpose. Some of the latest | | | | the number or credit card had been stolen. The best |
| innovations do not retain the numbers, thus preventing | | | | thing to do will be to prevent it from happening. Be |
| retail merchants or their employees from using them | | | | fussy and particular if you have to. It is better to be |
| illegally. Ask about the equipment being used before | | | | safe than sorry. |