| Identity theft is getting to be a serious problem. It | | | | identity theft such as requiring you to have the card |
| usually occurs when someone is using your personal | | | | with you to make the purchase, installing security chips |
| information without your permission and then uses it to | | | | and requiring you to enter a pin number. |
| commit fraud or other crimes. | | | | Credit card fraud is still the most used method around, |
| There are many ways for people to get your personal | | | | so make sure you are aware of your credit card. This |
| information and then commit identity theft, so by being | | | | means making sure that you are getting your |
| aware of the different methods used, you can take | | | | statements every month, as identity theft may involve |
| steps to prevent becoming a victim. Once they get | | | | the thief calling in and having the address changed. |
| your information it is easy for them to take steps to | | | | Another method used with credit cards is opening a |
| steal your identity. | | | | new account. |
| Garbage - People who are looking to commit | | | | Phishing - This is becoming a more common method |
| fraudulent activity will go through the garbage to find | | | | of fraud on the internet. The criminals pretend to be a |
| your personal information. To prevent this type of | | | | financial institution and send out spam or popups to get |
| activity, you want to shred any paper that has your | | | | you to give out your personal information for them to |
| personal information on it. If you are getting rid of a | | | | use for fraudulent activity. The easiest way to prevent |
| computer, make sure you have removed all personal | | | | this type of identity theft is to not give out this |
| data. If you do not know how to do this, take the hard | | | | information unless you are on your banks website. |
| drive completely apart and destroy the parts to | | | | Stealing - This is still the old fashioned method of fraud. |
| prevent any fraudulent activity. | | | | They steal your wallet, purse or bag, and take your |
| Skimming - Another method of identity theft is | | | | information and then go to work on stealing your |
| skimming your credit card number when you use it. | | | | identity. Depending on what information you carry with |
| This is done with a special machine added onto the | | | | you, this can be a gold mine for someone intent on |
| terminal and it will store your number for use later. | | | | performing fraudulent activity. |
| Most credit cards companies are good about | | | | While you may feel that you won't be a victim to |
| removing charges that are not yours due fraud, but | | | | identity theft, many people feel that way and have had |
| make sure you keep an eye on your statement for | | | | their identity stolen. By using some common sense and |
| signs fraud. Credit card companies are working on | | | | keeping your information safe, you should be able to |
| improvements with their systems to help prevent | | | | prevent your identity from becoming stolen! |