Avoid Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft by Taking Precautions
By admin • Jun 18th, 2009 • Category: Credit Card Theft and Fraud, Identity Theft Protection
Would you buy something in a store if you knew the credit card machine would broadcast your financial information to an organized gang sitting anywhere in the world? Probably not! But, most people know their personal information is not secure when shopping over the internet but they still opt for this mode of shopping and end up losing their sensitive information.
Such incidents happen on consistent basis in the world of internet. But, the regular occurrence of these incidents doesn’t quality to the fact that you must bag the idea of buying over the internet. You must shop from online stores to your heart’s content but you must never forget that the credit card fraud is one of the most popular global crimes. Even though the credit card fraud is common but you can always save yourself from becoming a victim of credit card fraud and identity theft by taking precautions. In fact, keying in your card information on an encrypted website is safer than most other ways of shopping.
There was a time when people were not aware of online identity theft but they got familiar with it when many companies started the patchwork. Today, identity theft have become quite common but you can still take some steps to keep your self out of the list of those people who lost their credit card information in a credit card fraud. Following are few of the important points to keep in mind to use internet without worrying about credit card fraud and identity theft.
• The most important thing is to shop from right sites. Never enter your credit card details to an unencrypted page otherwise your information would be gone in a split second.
• Build a habit of getting in touch with your bank officials to know the condition of your credit card. Many people don’t collect information about their credit cards for long time and get a shock of their life when find that their credit card is being used by someone else.
• If you receive an email from your credit card company asking for specific information, you will be better off discarding it. Always keep in mind that companies don’t ask for financial information in emails. Even if you are curious to know the reason behind an email, it is better to make a phone call in their office to talk over the whole thing.
• Spend some time over the internet to educate yourself about the ways being used by identity thieves to steal your credit card and other personal information. Awareness is extremely important to fight with identity theft.
The fact of the matter is that fighting with identity theft and credit card fraud is not an easy job. You need to educate yourself about the whole process of identity theft and identity protection. Along with educating yourself, you need to be vigilant enough to identify a credit card fraud. Just keep aforementioned points in mind and you will always be able to stay away from falling prey to the trap set by these con artists.
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I was a victim of identity fraud. It was very unnerving.
I had to create a police report and then send in that police report to the credit agencies. This gave me a 10 year free pass. Tehy keep a hold on my credit. I get calls ever time someone wants to sign me up for a credit card. Make sure you always create a police report and it will help you.
Online shopping is definitely my preferred way to shop just because you can save quite a bit but one definitely has to be careful from where they buy because their’s a lot of scams.
This is a sore subject..that happens more and more with increasing shopping online and technological advances that allow for this type of activity. Heck, you could even just visit a restaurant and have a server “skim” the magnetic strip of your credit card!
Good advice on the subject, thanks a lot !
@ Gene – My poor dad had someone steal his identity! It’s was terrible I felt so bad for him. There were so many people calling him and asking for referrals, and money, and strange debts! It was the worst, he was flippin mad, and my dad is not someone you want to be on poor terms with. Thanks for this article and reminder!
Over and over again, credit card holders are advised to take precautions when using their credit cards especially on online transactions, this is to prevent identity theft and fraud. You pointed out some really good tips that are really helpful.
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Credit cards are rampant in USA. People don’t like a cash one they just only swipe the cards and do a transaction to the store owners and even on shopping. What the best thing you can do if your credit card was lost. Then automatically report to the police and the credit cards company so that they can stop easily the activation of your credits card. They cannot used them for their transactions.Nice blog! It is a big lesson to the credit card holder to be more concerned on the things that may happened on your fraud identity credit card holder.
I agree with this post. I know someone who works at one of the large banks in the U.S. And most of the frauds they encounter are usually online transactions. People should be careful with their credit card details and take necessary precaution to protect themselves.
Thanks for clear well put post. I must forward this to my father-in-law, who still does not trust shopping online, or even paying anything online. These days it is difficult to avoid shopping online, I think. But like you say, we must take extra precautions when we do so. Thanks for reminding me the importance of it.
One can’t be too careful, it seems, yet I don’t want to become paranoid. The ATM at my bank asks you to cover the keypad when you press your pin number! I’ve had Lifelock for a few years and so far so good. Thank you!
I’m a security freak and I become very much doubtful each time I’m being asked of my credit card information. It’s hard to trust especially when it involves money. Thanks a lot for posting this. It’s such a big help!
If you receive an email from your credit card company asking for specific information, you will be better off discarding it. Always keep in mind that companies don’t ask for financial information in emails. Even if you are curious to know the reason behind an email, it is better to make a phone call in their office to talk over the whole thing.
-Indeed, you are true! There are lots of scam emails out there that only want proprietary information from you. Nice post on preventing fraud.
Good post, and an important one especially this day and age. There are alot of decent credit monitoring programs out there, but I found one through Zander Insurance (Just Google Zander) where I was able to insure the whole family for like $12/mo. The big thing with their program is that if you do encounter fraudulent activity on a credit card or with your social security number all of the leg work of contacting all your creditors and cleaning up any mess is handled for you. Another important thing that you should do is keep tabs on your credit report. You can get a free annual credit report from each of the big 3 credit reporting bureau’s at annualcreditreport.com so don’t pay for this service elsewhere.
Usually people think that all this crap that is identity theft will not affect them. Well they are wrong. If you do not take the time to be aware of this problem now, you will be bitten by it — whether you survive depends on how cunning you are. If you are already educated about this menace be aware that probably most of your friends aren’t. Share this message with everyone you know – especially teens.
Identity theft through technology
Indeed, if you develop a culture of interaction with bank officials, you won’t fall prey to fraud and identity theft. This is an effective way to combat, and end, such fraudulent acts.
We should never use our credit cards at internet cafes. It can be risky by doing this.
I was also a victim of credit card fraud. I have bought a certain software online and after my subscription I was not informed that they have automatically deducted for another year subscription. I was only alarmed when the bank called me asking if I have an online transaction. This post is very helpful to avoid credit card fraud and identity theft. Thanks!