Protect Yourself against Credit Card Fraud Finding yourself the victim of credit card fraud is one of the worst feelings in the world. Where you have felt safe and secure, you are now vulnerable and exposed, subject to the whims of the individual who has stolen your information. While many financial institutions provide recovery services, prevention is the best mode of action. Many banks offer anti-theft services as well as fraud alerts and notifications. It is always better to be safe than sorry and there are a few things you should do and should not do to keep you, your credit card, and your financial future safe from those who would prey on them.
Use Caution Despite your best efforts, a thief will likely make an attempt on your credit information, but your goal is to make it as hard for them as possible, hopefully deterring them in the process. Many thieves are able to get your information when your card is out of your hands. One of the best ways to stay safe is to always know exactly where your card is at all times. Never let it out of your sight and do not allow other people to use your card. Minimize the amount of time that your card is out of your hands. If you must hand your card to a cashier, do what you can to keep the card in your sight while it is being processed.
Online Safety It is recommended that you only use one credit card for online purchases, thereby minimizing the amount of access that someone has to your finances. Don’t use a public computer to complete online transactions and always double check your confirmation emails to make sure that you are not charged more than expected. Keep track of all your email confirmations and additional receipts for each credit card so that you can compare them to your statement at the end of each month. When it comes to email, never respond or give your banking information out to anyone via email. As a rule, no banking establishment will request or require you to give any of your personal account information over the phone, via email, or through text. Anyone that asks you to do this should be regarded as suspicious.
Card Safety and Reporting You should always sign the back of your credit card immediately upon receiving it. Some people prefer to write “See I.D.” in lieu of their signature, requiring cashiers to check I.D. before running the card. Make sure you cut any expired cards or cards whose accounts have been closed into several small
pieces. Keep your bank up to date on any personal information changes like an address change. Failure to do so may result in your card getting cancelled. If your information does seem to get stolen or if you see any suspicious activity on your account it is best that you report it immediately. Through any kind of reparations that may need to happen if your card is stolen, make sure that you keep detailed track of all your communications. This can come in handy if the thief is ever caught. If you are dealing with a court case of this nature and need a Provo attorney, Johnstun Law is here for you. Give us a call, visit us online, or stop by our office today to see how we can help you!