With the
holidays here, many of us will be purchasing gifts for our
family, friends and business associates and using debit or credit cards to make
these purchases. Most of us will be shopping either online or at brick and
mortar establishments. However, with debit and credit card use, comes credit
card fraud and identity theft? Because consumers are so preoccupied during this
time of the year, individuals may tend to let their guard down when it comes to
using their credit card or debit card. Following are some simple tips to
safeguard you from credit card fraud and identity theft.
Never give your
credit card number to anyone who calls you without verifying his or her
identity.
Always keep your PIN (Personal
Identification Number) private. Never give it out, and never keep it on you.
Some
establishments have been caught adding digits to credit card slips after
consumers sign them. For example, you think you are paying $25.00 for an item,
but when you look at your credit card receipt, you will see $125.00.
After a purchase,
make certain the card you get back is yours.
You should report
cards, which have been lost or stolen immediately. Credit card companies can
freeze your account and issue you a new card without delay.
Review your monthly
statements promptly and carefully for unauthorized purchases.
Merchants, who accept
payment by credit card, must also disclose any limitations on the use of that
card. Disclosure must be conspicuous at the entrance to the store and in any ads,
which indicate the credit card acceptance. New York State
Retailers who accept
payment by credit card cannot set a minimum purchase amount for credit card
use.
If you use a debit card to
withdraw money from an ATM machine, make certain you take your receipt with you
and review it for accuracy. Never leave or discard the receipt in a public
receptacle.
Avoid using ATM
machines that are located on public streets or in remote areas. Try to use an ATM
machine in a bank lobby during banking hours.
If you are shopping online:
Never purchase
items on sites that do not have the secure icon, usually located at the bottom
window at the right side. The address bar that carries the https is securer than the http prefix.
Try to shop at
reputable e-commerce sites. A good clue is to look at the copyright year; if it
says © 1999 and the current year is 2014, select another site or check out the
company with the Butter Business Bureau. You can also send an email question to
the company. If they do not respond within 48 hours, select another site.
Never give your
social security number to any site.
If you suspect fraud,
contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint, and order a copy of
your credit report from each of the three national credit agencies and once a
year from annualcreditreport.com
Happy Smart Holiday Shopping!
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