Five easy steps to protect yourself from credit card fraud
Posted on August 25, 2007
Filed Under Advice, Fraud | Leave a Comment
Credit card fraud costs companies and card holders billions every year. Corporal Kevin Bodie with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office says more often than not, we aren’t. But he says there are five easy steps to decrease your risk.
Step one: take every receipt. “Ask for that receipt and take it with you don’t discard in trash can that’s close to the ATM machine,” says Bodie. He also says those receipts have information that can be easily traced to your card.
Step two: swipe our own card whenever possible. Bodie says, “If you do let you go of the card, maintain eye contact…make sure there is no double swipe of card.”
Step three: avoid giving out advice over cordless phones and cell phones….you never know who’s listening in. “If I have the radio frequencies to cordless and cell phones, I can hear your phone call,” he warns.
Step four: if you have cash…use it. “If you have the small amounts of cash on your person you’re protecting yourself as far as not having a credit card ….not swiping that,” Bodie says.
Step five: if something does happen, call you credit card company and the cops right away.
So what about using that credit card online? Make sure the site you’re on is a secure site. Check for the lock sign in the corner of your screen.
Corporal Bodie says any time you use your card you’re taking a risk. So keep track of those credit card statements.
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