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Division of Legal Services
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Kevin Potter, Administrator • Biography
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Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud
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 this possibility.
Guarding Against Fraud
Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit and charge card
fraud:
Do:
- Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.
- Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered
compartment, a business card holder or another small pouch.
- Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates and
the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.
- Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as
quickly as possible.
- Void incorrect receipts.
- Destroy carbons.
- Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
- Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you
would your checking account.
- Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card
issuer.
- Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
Don't:
- Lend your card(s) to anyone.
- Leave cards or receipts lying around.
- Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through
any blank spaces above the total.
- Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an
envelope.
- Give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the
call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company,
check it out with your local consumer protection office or Better Business
Bureau.
Annual Credit Report Review
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer
reporting companies -- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -- to provide you with
a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. Go to
www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228 to request
your report by telephone.
Take advantage of this right by requesting your reports annually and
reviewing them carefully to ensure the records are accurate and there are no
unauthorized transactions.
Reporting Losses and Fraud
Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit and charge card
fraud:
- If you lose your credit or charge cards, or if you realize they've
been lost or stolen, immediately call the issuer(s). Many companies have
toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. By law,
once you report the loss or theft, you have no further responsibility for
unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is
$50 per card. If you suspect fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement under
oath that you did not make the purchase(s) in question.
- If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, you should take
action immediately:
- Contact the police.
- Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus:
- Contact creditors to close any accounts opened fraudulently or
tampered with.
- Obtain a free copy of your credit report and review it.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID-THEFT
or by going to the
FTC's Identity Theft site
- Keep detailed, dated records of all conversations, and follow up each
conversation with a letter sent by certified mail with return receipt requested.
Additional Resources
The resources available through the Federal Trade Commission's website on
credit can help you become a more savvy consumer. You will also find compliance
requirements for businesses, and information about the FTC's recent law
enforcement actions. Go to
www.ftc.gov/credit// or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) for more
information.
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