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Preventing Credit Card Fraud
By Lynette, VerifyFraud Staff Reporter

As the use and availability of credit cards increases, so also does the occurence of credit card fraud. Credit card fraud, in its various forms, can happen to anyone at any time. However, there are some simple things you can and should do to protect yourself and decrease the risk of becoming a victim of this prevalent crime.

1. SIGN OR WRITE THE WORDS "ASK FOR ID" ON YOUR CREDIT CARD:
When you receive your new credit card in the mail, you should sign the back of it immediately. If you do not, and your credit card gets lost or stolen, it is very simple for someone to simply forge your name on the back in their own writing and begin to present your card as their own.

Another option that is perhaps even more effective is to write the words "See Identification" or something similar on the back of the credit card in place of your actual signature. This tells the clerk or cashier that they need to ask for your ID in order to verify your signature. It may seem somewhat inconvenient for you to have to pull out your driver's license every time you make a transaction with your credit card, but it makes it more difficult for a thief to use your card because the signature would have to match your ID signature.

2. PROTECT YOUR PIN NUMBER:
Many credit cards now come with a PIN number to use for cash advances or other purposes. When dealing with this kind of credit card, be certain that you never keep your PIN number in the same place as your credit card! Your best bet is to simply memorize your PIN number and dispose of it, but if you aren't that sure of your ability to remember it, at least store it in a safe place away from the actual credit card. Also, when you do use the PIN number in a public place, try to shield the number pad from anyone else's view (even if you don't think anyone is around or watching). Thieves have been known to even go so far as to use binoculars to watch a person input a credit card number and PIN number on ATM machines or telephones, and write the numbers down for their own fraudulent use. When you have to give your PIN number over the phone, be aware of your surroundings and the type of phone you are using. Cordless phones can be a way for a fraudster to obtain your PIN number. If you feel at any time that your PIN number has been compromised, contact your credit card company and request that a new card sent to you as soon as possible.

3. DRAW A LINE:
The war against credit card fraud has moved far beyond the teenager who gets a card number and orders CDs through the mail. In today's day and age, you even have to protect yourself against the merchant establishments that you do business with. More and more merchants are giving in to the greed of fraud.

When you sign a credit card charge slip, draw a line under the total charge amount and/or circle it. This can help prevent someone from putting additional amounts on the same charge slip after you have left. One of the oldest and easiest way of having yourself become a victim is when a merchant bills you a much higher amount than what you originally charged. Of course this can be handled by your credit card company, but the headache and time involved can be draining and very time-consuming. A good way to prevent a merchant from charging you more than you originally agreed to pay for it is to circle or draw a line under that amount. That way, if there is ever a dispute or a need for you to prove your case, you will have sufficient evidence right on the charge slip.

4. TAKE CARBONS:
Be certain that you take all carbon copies of your credit card charge slips with you after you have made a purchase. Do not leave them where they might be taken and used by someone else. Don't get in the habit of just balling them up and throwing them away. A fraudster will search the trash to obtain your card number. After all, a 10 minute dig in the trash can may reap them thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges.