Sunday, July 11, 2010

Fight Credit Card Fraud with Common Sense

By now, you have got undoubtedly heard of credit card fraud, an alarming and detrimental tendency that is sweeping the country. Here's the bad news: It is disturbingly easy for thieves to obtain your credit card number—-usually from discarded gross or even directly from you. For instance, many canvassers mask as legitimate businesspeople--like those who offer holiday packages, for instance--when, in fact, they're looking for you to innocently manus over your credit card number so they can rack up illegal charges.

The good intelligence is that there are many ways you can proactively and effectively protect yourself against credit card fraud:

-If your credit card have been lost or stolen, report it immediately to the card issuer. You are not obligated to pay for unauthorised charges once you report the loss.

-Sign new cards immediately once they get in the mail. Once you have them, carry them in a separate lawsuit from your wallet.

-Notify credit card companies if you are about to move, either temporarily or permanently.

-Never offer your account number over the phone unless you're dealing with a reputable and legitimate company. If you have got any inquiry about a company, contact the Better Business Agency (http://www.bbb.com ).

-Don't allow your credit card out of your sight—not even for a minute—when you're using it. It only takes 10 seconds for person to covertly compose down your account number and name.

-Things to destroy: Carbon transcripts and wrong receipts. Things to maintain in a safe place: A record of account numbers and legitimate gross for comparison to charge statements.

-Don't subscribe clean credit card receipts. Draw a line through clean parts of the reception where fake charges can be added.

Above all, don't forget to utilize common sense when you're dealing with your credit card. Don't impart your card to anybody. Don't carry around cards you rarely use. And never, ever compose your account number where person can see it…not even on an envelope! You can forestall credit card fraud from happening to you and your loved 1s by following these simple practices.

For more than information on credit card fraud and other credit issues, delight visit http://www.informedcredit.com

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