September/October 2007

Avoiding Credit and Debit Card Fraud

The following is provided by the F.T.C. (Federal Trade Commission). 

While most of the information provided is directed towards individuals, businesses that use or accept credit cards hold some responsibility in protecting themselves and their customer’s credit card information.

Consider the following:

• A thief goes through the trash to find discarded receipts or carbons, and then uses your account numbers illegally. 
• A dishonest clerk makes an extra imprint from your credit card and uses it to make personal charges.
• You respond to a mailing asking you to call a long distance number for a free trip or bargain-priced travel package.  You are told you must join a travel club first and you are asked for your account number so you can be billed.  The catch! Charges you didn’t make are added to your bill and you never get your trip. 

Alarming isn’t it?  Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.  While theft is the most obvious form of fraud, it can occur in other ways.  For example, someone may use your credit card number without your knowledge. 

It’s not always possible to prevent credit or charge card fraud from happening.  But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers and minimize the possibility. 

Guarding Against Fraud

The following are just a few steps to help protect yourself or your business from credit and debit card fraud.

1. Do sign your card(s) as soon as they arrive
2. Do carry your cards separately from your wallet.
3. Do keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone numbers and addresses of each company.
4. Do keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
5. Do void incorrect receipts.
6. Do destroy carbons
7. Do save receipts to compare to billing statements.
8. Do open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
9. Do report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
10. Do notify card companies in advance of a change of address.
11. Do draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
12. Don’t lend your card(s) to anyone.
13. Don’t leave cards or receipts lying around.
14. Don’t sign a blank receipt.
15. Don’t write your account number on a postcard or on the outside of an envelope.
16. Don’t give out account numbers over the telephone unless you are making the call to a company you know as reputable. 

If you have further questions about fraud or presentations we offer please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 268-4101, or by email.