How can I protect myself against credit card fraud?

• It is critical that you notify your bank or credit card company immediately if you lose your card.
  • Remember to get your card back after purchasing goods or services. Do not leave the card in hotel rooms or unnecessarily exposed for long periods of time. The number can be copied even if the card is not taken.
• Do not put your credit card account number on checks used to pay your monthly bills.
• Retain all carbon copies of your receipts when making a purchase and retain receipts from ATM withdrawals.
  • Be careful when disposing of materials and correspondence relating to your finances. Shred all receipt carbon copies to make sure your credit card number is unrecognizable. Do not throw away canceled checks, financial statements or letters offering pre-approved credit cards where others can easily find them.
• Check billing statements carefully upon receipt to make sure all charges are yours. Errors or changes that don’t belong should be reported as soon as possible.
• Promptly destroy all old cards or cards you no longer use. Dispose of them in a manner ensuring the card number is unrecognizable.
• Secure your mailbox. Obtain a lock, if necessary. If you receive mail through an apartment house clusterbox arrangement, make sure the locks for the panel and your box lock correctly.
• When applying for a credit card, check the return address. If there is a sticker with a return address placed on the application, contact the card issuing company to verify the correct address.
• Do not give your card number to anyone calling on the telephone offering you prizes or gifts.
• Do not write your card number on a postcard notifying you that you have won a prize or gift and requesting the number as part of the award arrangements.
• Do not leave gasoline credit card receipts at the pump. They may contain your credit card number.
• Do not provide your credit card number to unsolicited email messages or on suspicious Internet web sites.

If you have been the victim of credit card fraud or identity theft, the following tips will assist you:

• Report the crime to the police immediately. Get a copy of your police report or case number. Credit card companies, your bank, and the insurance company may ask you to reference the report to verify the crime.
• Immediately contact your credit card issuers. Get replacement cards with new account numbers and ask that the old account be processed as “account closed at consumer’s request” for credit record purposes. You should also follow up this telephone conversation with a letter to the credit card company that summarizes your requests in writing.
• Call the fraud units of the three credit reporting bureaus. Report the theft of your credit cards and/or numbers. Ask that your accounts be flagged. Also, add a victim’s statement to your report requesting they contact you to verify future credit applications. The following is a list of addresses and numbers to the three credit bureaus:

Information provided by the United States Secret Service.