May 03, 2010
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News: FTC Has Suggestions For YOU!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants to help Americans live a safer financial life. The agency offers a number of suggestions on how to best avoid credit card fraud. They ask consumers to keep in mind that criminals frequently go through trash to find a number of items that help them steal your credit card information and identify which includes such things as discarded receipts, card statements and bank statements. Dishonest clerks and restaurant servers make imprints or use skimming machine devices to steal your credit card information. An increase of phone scams and email phishing scams have taken away the identities of thousands of unsuspecting victims.
The FTC suggests you take the following steps to make it more difficult for thieves to steal your card information and identity:
• Sign your debit and credit cards immediately upon receipt.
• Carry your cards in a separate area from your wallet such as a zippered compartment in your purse, a business card holder, or another small pouch.
• Keep an updated record of your debit and credit card account numbers, their expiration dates, and the contact information for each company in a secure place.
• Keep an eye on your card during the transaction and remember to retrieve your card quickly.
• Void incorrect receipts.
• Open bills promptly. Compare receipts with billing statements and reconcile accounts monthly as you would a checking account.
• Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
• Destroy receipts and carbons.
• Notify your credit card companies of change of address as soon in advance as possible.
• Report loss or stolen cards as soon as you realize they are missing. Most companies have 24 hour service. Notifying the card company will release you of any further liability as well as assist in quickly catching the thief.
• If you have questions about any company, check it out with your local consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.Things you should not do include:
• Never lend your debit or credit cards to anyone.
• Leave cards or receipts lying around.
• Sign a blank receipt and when signing a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
• Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
• Give out your account number over the phone unless you initiated the call.