| Anyone who possesses a credit card is very well | | | | purchases. If you have conformed information that |
| aware of a kind of fear which constantly lurks at the | | | | your card has been stolen or misused, the first step in |
| back of their minds. The fear of your card information | | | | reporting credit card fraud is to call up the customer |
| being misused or worse still, getting your card stolen, is | | | | care phone number provided at the back of the card. |
| the worst night mare you could possibly go through. As | | | | You need to inform the local police department and |
| the credit card frauds are on an all time high, it is crucial | | | | lodge an official complaint in regard to the theft. |
| to know what to do when reporting credit card fraud. | | | | The Federal Trade Commission encourages the |
| Credit cards are increasingly being used for the | | | | reporting of credit card fraud and you may also have |
| financial transactions and card transaction represent | | | | the additional benefit of getting relevant credit history |
| over 90% of all transactions made over the Internet. | | | | information from them. Reporting credit card fraud to |
| Although physical use of the cards can encounter | | | | your card company is essential if you are targeted, |
| cases of fraud, their use for online purchases exposes | | | | and the sooner the better. You need to activate a |
| them to greater chance of being misused as no | | | | fraud alert regarding the stolen or misused credit |
| signature or PIN is required on purchase. All card | | | | account. Inform your bank or financial institution in detail |
| owners need to be aware that your card can be | | | | about the fraud and make sure that the old account |
| safely nestled in you wallet, yet you could be at the | | | | details are altered and get new ones in place. |
| receiving end of the card cons. | | | | Most financial institutions will provide free reports of the |
| When you make online purchases, you are required to | | | | transactions charged on your card. Internet banking will |
| enter your personalized 3 digit code provided on your | | | | generally show transactions, and it is strongly advised |
| card, which authorizes the merchant to access your | | | | you check this frequently. Do not be alarmed if you |
| account and deduct the billed amount of the purchase | | | | don't immediately identify a transaction. Some |
| from it. The internet is home to many scams, frauds | | | | businesses will use unfamiliar names to identify |
| and white collared crimes, and cards are not spared | | | | transactions. Card issuers should be more than willing |
| here either. There is always a possibility of your card | | | | to investigate any transactions for you. |
| information being compromised during the online | | | | |