by Benjamin James

Created on: May 20, 2009   Last Updated: May 21, 2009

Criminals search through trash, tamper with ATM machines, and use the telephone and e-mail to attempt to gain access to consumers credit card information. Credit card fraud leaves the victim both emotionally and financially burdened. By diligently keeping your confidential information secure, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of credit card fraud.

The mail that your credit card company sends you makes you vulnerable to credit card fraud. Credit card issuers aggressively mail out cash advance checks to their credit card holders. I recommend that you contact your credit card companies and request that they do not mail these to you. Opt in for paperless statements if you are concerned about mail theft. Before discarding any mail which contains confidential information, shred it using a confetti cut paper shredder.

Do not give out any account information to anyone, unless you are the one who initiated the transaction. If your credit card issuer or a business contacts you, do not give them any personal information. Instead, tell them you will call them back. When you call them back, use a phone number that you have on file for them, not a phone number that they have just given to you over the phone. As a rule of thumb, your financial institution will never call or e-mail you requesting your account number, social security number, or any other confidential information.

Be cautious of the ATM machines you use for cash advances. Credit card thieves often attach their own card scanners to ATM machines to collect your card information. To avoid being a victim of this scam, transact only on ATM machines that you are familiar with and look for anything that looks out of the ordinary.

Many credit cards are now capable of generating temporary card numbers that you can use for online purchases. This temporary card number is often generated by accessing your account over the internet. If you do any shopping online, use a credit card that offers this feature.

Check your receipts for your card number. On several occasions I have used my credit card at a restaurant only to find that the entire card number is printed on the receipt. If this happens, black out the number on the receipt and make a complaint to the manager.

Lastly, reviewing your monthly statements or frequently checking your account online will allow you to quickly catch credit card fraud. If you suspect that your card information has been compromised, contact your credit card company immediately. Also, review your credit reports on a regular basis to check for any accounts that were opened or attempted to be opened fraudulently.

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