Credit Card Identity Theft Tips
Credit card fraud all over the world is a very difficult thing to combat. There are several of us who go unsuspecting of credit card fraud until it is too late. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are numerous things you can do to save yourself from credit card fraud and identity theft. In the UK things work a bit differently than some of the other countries. First you have to pay to access your credit reports. You can’t pay a year fee and get access all the time; however there is a potential to set up alerts for yourself in a variety of different ways.
Many of the banks and credit cards are now offering to send email alerts every time your balance changes on your bank account, which helps you protect your debit card. Credit cards also have alert options such as telling you when your statement has arrived via electronic mail as well as changes to the account.
With identity theft the account details are often the first thing that will be changed. The fraudster will change your email address, which means you no longer get alerts or they will change the address of where the paper statements should be sent. When you go paperless that is the best option. While the fraudster can still change the email address, the old email will get an alert sent stating the changes that occurred. By going paperless the fraudsters can’t look through your trash and they can’t change the address where information will be sent without your knowing it.
With the credit bureaus and getting your reports as we mentioned above there are some things you can do with alerts in this area. Most of the credit bureaus for a fee will allow you to place a block on the report. This means that without speaking directly to the bureau and going through a long verification process no one including yourself can open a new account. This makes it more difficult for the fraudster to get an easy online account established in your name.
Being mindful of your card details is also something you should be concerned about. Most of us enter our pin without thinking about it in a machine. This is not a good idea as there can be cameras watching. We can’t harp enough on protecting the pin and personal account information every time you use the card. You shouldn’t let your credit card out of your site. Get up and follow the card. You might feel ridiculous and the staff member may wonder what you are doing, but it will save you some really big headaches in the future.
Did you know that most fraudsters get away with the fraud for extended periods of time because the consumer doesn’t check their online account? It is true most fraudsters will start spending on the date of a new statement in the hopes that you will not catch the charges until the new statement. It is imperative to check your balance at least once a week.
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