Do You Know How To Combat Credit Card Fraud?
When it comes to minimizing the risk of theft or credit card fraud, you need to be sensible. One of the most important steps you can take is not taking items with you that you don’t need. If you are unlikely to use a credit card, don’t take it with you. This is the case for people who are just nipping down to their local corner shop or people who are jetting off on a long holiday. No matter how long your journey is, think about what you need and if you don’t need anything, make sure that you don’t take it.
If you are going on a long journey, it makes sense to inform your credit and debit card providers in advance of your journey. This is because they will see your card being used in a different location and they may view this as a suspicious activity. This could see your card being blocked, which may cause a number of issues on your trip. This may not be at the forefront of your thoughts when planning a journey, but keeping your credit and debit card providers aware of any trips or travel plans will help to make things smoother. Conversely, if you haven’t traveled and there is the use of your card in a strange or distant location, your credit card company will be far more likely to spot the transaction and then block it.
Be proactive when dealing with your credit card
You should also be proactive when it comes to reviewing your credit card transactions. Some people think that just because there isn’t a massive purchase or big ticket items being added to your card that you are not experienced credit card fraud in some form. This is not the case. Different fraudsters work in different ways and there will be some fraudsters who prefer to fly low under the radar. This means that they will be happy to take small hits from a range of credit cards, gaining mini benefits and bonuses from a range of places. This will help them to make a lot of profit and gain a big return while hopefully flying beneath the checks of individuals and credit card companies. To make sure that you are not falling victim to this style of crime, you should be proactive in looking at your credit card statements.
You should also be proactive when handing your credit card to a professional or a clerk. You should never walk away from an employee or turn your back on them. You should also ensure that the card is always returned to you quickly. Also, make sure that you keep a close eye on the receipts you sign and cross out any areas where money or charges could be added. It can be tiring keeping a close eye on all of the potential ways in which you could experience credit card fraud but if you are looking to stay safe and minimize the likelihood of experiencing credit card fraud, it pays to do what you can to stay ahead of potential fraudsters. It needs to be borne in mind that some professionals will play a part in carrying out credit card fraud as well. This means that you should never be complacent when it comes to caring for your credit card and minimizing the likelihood of being a victim of fraud.
Dispose of old cards in an effective manner
When you have an old credit card, you should make sure that you dispose of it in an effective manner. It is important to shred or cut up your credit. Even if your card is expired, it can be used to re-open a closed account or set up a new account, so you need to stay on top of the validity of your card and never just throw an old card away. Similarly, if you are using a card at an ATM, always look to see if you are happy with the condition of the machine. If the machine is in poor condition or it looks as though there are signs of it having been tampered with, you would be better off looking for a different machine to use.
When it comes to credit card fraud, it pays to be vigilant at all times. You should be aware that this is a very common type of fraud and it is one that appeals to many fraudsters. Looking out for this style of fraud can help you to stay safe. You will also find that there are many specialist legal advisers who can provide guidance or assistance when it comes to dealing with this style of crime.
Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professionally for 9 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn’t sitting behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.
