How To Avoid Credit Card Fraud

Identity theft is all too common this day in age. It seems like the problem is growing to new extremes. As a major facet of identity theft, credit card fraud is also largely preventable by taking basic precautions and using good financial common sense. Read on for a few of the most effective ways to avoid fraud completely. Don't let anyone borrow your credit card or have access to your card number.

A large amount of credit card fraud happens simply as a result of not paying close enough attention to who is doing what with your card. Keep tabs on who has your card and for how long. For example, most of the time at retail stores and even at restaurants you can see what's going on with your card.

If at all possible, watch to make sure no one is "mishandling" your credit while processing it. Think about how many credit card applications you receive by mail in the course of a month or so. Each and every one of these is practically an invitation for fraudsters to take advantage.

They can get them right out of your mailbox or even the trash and fill them out to obtain their own under your name in no time at all. To reduce your chances of becoming a victim, check your mail as soon as possible every day and be sure to shred all unwanted applications before discarding them.

The web has a reputation for being sort of the Wild West when it comes to credit cards. The perception is that information is stolen routinely and identity thieves are abundant. While it's always better to be safe than sorry, this notion of online lawlessness is largely a mis perception.

In fact, when doing business with reputable businesses online, your financial info is probably even safer than it would be in a typical offline transaction. Just make sure the connection is secure (look for the padlock logo in your browser) and that you completely trust the company you're paying. Often considered a last resort when taking steps to avoid credit fraud, reviewing your account statement line by line is also a surefire way to catch any misuse of your card before it's too late.

Simply by reporting any misuse to your card issuing bank, most liability is averted right then and there. On the other hand, choosing to just pay the bill without looking at the charges listed is a great way to be an ongoing victim of credit card fraud. Knowing how to avoid credit card fraud is mostly accomplished by being aware of how fraudsters practice their trade, but even more so, by taking easy, basic steps to protect your identity. Don't allow yourself to be a victim!

For instance there is only one website provided by the consumer companies for the application too receives a free copy of the annual credit. But, many other sites claim to give the free copy and even some sell these free copies to ignorant consumers that do not know this. You should get the right information to avoid being fooled by these scammers.

Learn to tell the fake from the original copy. Many methods are used to con ignorant consumers these days. For instance, a thief can apply for your credit report using your identity, with the purpose of knowing your Equifax credit report to process loans with your identity. They will not definitely escape with the money collected from the loan leaving the debt for you to pay.



So, it's always good to be informed about your credit report and always make sure you apply through the right channel whenever you do. Because if you visit a site that claims to help you get your credit report, you are only risking your personal information to fraudsters that can use it against you.