| For all of us who use payment on our plastic | | | | your details and opening a credit card account in your |
| preventing credit card fraud is an ongoing battle. Make | | | | name. They then run up huge debts in your name. If |
| sure you use the services of a website that offers | | | | that happens, and you will only ever find out after the |
| guarantees against identity theft. These sites use a | | | | event, you will need to prove that you have never |
| "secure page" for card processing. And, you should | | | | lived at the address which the scammer provided and |
| always make sure your computer is clear of viruses | | | | the debts are not yours. Doing so can be very |
| and spyware, otherwise you face the risk of a trojan | | | | time-consuming, but in order to rebuild your credit |
| virus stealing your personal details. If possible never | | | | reputation it is something you just have to do. |
| use anyone else's computer to order online, not unless | | | | Obviously the first people to inform if you think your |
| you are 100% confident their computer is clean from | | | | card has been used by someone else is your bank, |
| viruses and spyware. | | | | credit card provider, and the police. If credit cards have |
| Preventing credit card fraud comes down to some | | | | been issued fraudulently in your name you will also |
| simple basics. If you are using your credit or debit card | | | | need to contact the three credit reference agencies, |
| for offline purchases don't keep your card and pin | | | | Experian, Equifax, and Callcredit to inform them about |
| number together, especially now we have chip and pin, | | | | the credit card fraud. Some say that you only need to |
| rather than signatures. And talking about cards, if you | | | | contact one of these and they will pass on your report |
| don't use them all then it is better for safety reasons | | | | to the others, but I would make sure by contacting all |
| to close those accounts. And, closing them helps your | | | | three. You can do it online, and request them to place |
| scoring at the credit reference agencies as you no | | | | fraud alerts on all your credit reports. A fraud alert will |
| longer have x amount of credit instantly available to | | | | be an obstruction to anyone who attempts to use |
| you. | | | | your information to establish a new line of credit. |
| Despite your best efforts, at some time you may fall | | | | Be alert at all times with your cards. Cover the pin |
| victim to some type of credit card fraud. And if | | | | number when using your card at a retailers, restaurant, |
| someone else has got hold of your personal details | | | | or when withdrawing cash from a service till. If you are |
| they can ruin your credit. This is where you have to | | | | the victim of credit card fraud act quickly to lessen the |
| undo the damage caused to you. | | | | damage to you. Preventing credit card fraud is a lot |
| You could be the victim of scammers getting hold of | | | | easier than trying to deal with it after the event. |