Credit fraud is on the rise, and it can happen to anyone. It can happen
to you.
Taking steps to limit your vulnerability to credit fraud is the best
method of protecting yourself.
The following tips can help keep you from becoming a credit fraud victim.
Click on any of the items in the list below for more details.
To limit the potential for fraud ...
In general, being proactive in protecting yourself from the potential
misuse of your identity by taking measures to safeguard your sensitive
information will limit your exposure to ever increasing credit fraud.
To limit the potential for fraud if your credit cards are lost or
stolen:
- Keep a list of the names, account numbers and the expiration dates
of your cards in a safe place. This will aid you when alerting your credit
grantors of the lost or stolen card.
- Call your credit grantors immediately after discovering your cards
are missing. Most have 24 hour toll free numbers for this purpose. If you
reopen the account, ensure they have your correct address.
- Carry only the identification and credit cards you need when traveling
- whether locally or out of town.
- Do not carry your credit cards in your checkbook.
- If your checkbook is lost or stolen, call your bank. Inform them of
the check numbers missing.
- If your Social Security Card is missing, contact the Social Security
Administration.
- If your Driver's License is missing, contact the appropriate agency
in your area.
To limit the potential for fraud when using your credit cards:
- Sign your credit cards in permanent ink as soon as you receive them.
- When making a purchase, keep your card in view at all times. Retrieve
it as soon as the transaction is completed and make sure it is yours.
- Do not sign a blank charge slip. Draw a line through the lines above
the total line.
- Destroy any carbons.
- Always save your receipts. Never leave them behind.
- If requested to show a credit card as identification when using a check,
do not let the sales clerk to write down the account number.
- Avoid saying your account number if others can hear.
- Only provide your ID and credit card information over the phone to
companies with whom you have initiated the call. Never provide it to a
solicitor. If you are interested in the product, ask them to send you information.
Any legitimate company will be happy to comply.
To limit the potential for fraud, review your credit card statements:
- Check your statement as soon as it arrives to ensure the charges are
correct.
- Keep statements in a safe place - they contain sensitive information.
- Before discarding old statements, even of closed accounts, rip them
into small pieces or shred them.
- If your statement does not arrive, call your credit card issuer.
- If called by your issuer and the caller asks for your account number,
do not provide it. If the caller is with the issuer, they will know your number.
To limit the potential for fraud when using ATMs and PINs:
- Shield your numbers while using the ATM.
- Never leave your receipts behind.
- Choose a PIN that is unique. Use a number other than your birthday,
Social Security number or other obvious number.
- Never write down your PIN in your checkbook or on your cards. It is
best to memorize it.
To limit the potential for fraud when using the mail service:
- If your mail stops, check with the Post Office. Sometimes a change
of address is submitted by a fraud perpetrator in an attempt to get your
mail.
- If you apply for a new card and it does not arrive, contact the issuer.
To limit the potential for fraud, check your credit file:
- It is beneficial to check your credit profile periodically. There are
three national credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian (formerly
TRW) and Trans Union. Please click here to order your Equifax Credit Profile.
You can contact Experian at PO Box 2102, Allen, TX 75002-0949 and Trans
Union at National Disclosure Center, PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064.
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