How to Reduce Credit Card Fraud
- 1). Sign new credit cards as soon as you receive and activate them, the Federal Trade Commission advises. This makes it more difficult for others to use them for in-person purchases if they are lost or stolen.
- 2). Guard your credit card numbers carefully. Don't let others see the account number in stores and don't give it out to unknown merchants online or to telephone callers. Fraudulent shopping sites can be set up strictly to collect credit card information and thieves can transmit fake caller ID data to appear like a legitimate company.
- 3). Watch restaurant servers, store clerks and any one else who handles your card for a transaction. Thieves often work in businesses that accept credit cards and run the cards through a "skimming" device, Creditcards.com warns. It collects your information, which is later used to make a fraudulent card that makes charges on your account. Don't allow the card to be taken out of your sight.
- 4). Inspect automatic teller machines and gas station pumps that accept credit cards. Criminals often attach skimmers to them. Don't use an automatic credit card reader that is loosely attached or looks suspicious in any way.
- 5). Destroy old credit cards by cutting them through the account number, the FTC recommends. Cut them into small pieces and dispose of them in multiple trash bags. Shred your monthly statements before discarding them.
