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[I133]Identity Theft And Credit Card

by Joseph Hanoa, Jos

Consumers worry needlessly when it comes to identity theft and their credit cards. Sure, there is a chance that your credit card could be misused, but you can take the steps necessary to protect your credit card from identity thieves. Read on and we shall explore some helpful tips to protect your plastic every time that you use it.

If you patronize a retailer and they still use carbon copies to make their credit card receipts, always make certain that you leave the store with the carbon as well your copy. Do not dispose of this stuff in the trash. Take it home and shred it. You do have a shredder, don't you?

Most retailers have switched to a new form of receipt: you get a copy of a receipt with your information printed on it while a signed copy of the receipt goes back to the retailer. No carbon paper is used, minimizing the chance that your personal information will fall into the wrong hands.

When shopping online, always patronize secure sites when placing your order. This means that the site will have an ?s? after http in the web address and you should be able to view a closed lock in the lower right hand corner of your screen. All of your information is transferred securely online and away from the prying eyes of thieves. Never disclose your social security number to a retailer or to anyone over the phone. The last four digits of your social security number is fine to reveal, but only to those people needing that information.

Be careful when using an online pay site such as Paypal. While there method of protecting consumers has improved over time, thieves will sometimes purport to be with Paypal and send to you a letter warning you that your account will be closed unless you take immediate action. This action means clicking on a link not associated with Paypal and being redirected to a site where you will be asked for plenty of personal information including your social security number, address, bank account information, etc. Just to let you know, Paypal never threatens to close an account via email.

Being wise with your personal information is the first step to avoiding identity theft problems later on. You don't have to live in fear, but you can take sensible steps to avoid problems later on. If in doubt, then don't proceed with a transaction involving your credit card.

According to the F.B.I. and the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is the fastest-growing white-collar crime in the United States estimated at 10 million people victimized each year.

Nowadays, when your purse or wallet gets stolen, the cash inside may not be the only thing a thief wants to steal. The most valuable items in your wallet are your Social Security number, ATM card, credit cards, bank checks, and any other items containing your personal information.

Additionally, during the course of a busy day, you share this information when making transactions in person, over the telephone and online to buy goods and services. By the way, the fastest growing form is unauthorized access to checking accounts estimated at 2 million people, 70% of those people do banking or pay bills online.

Are you able to say ?yes, that's me,? to many of the above? Me, too. As a matter of fact, more than two years ago when I was passing through Caracas, Venezuela, on my way back from Marguerita Island I bought a fan as a souvenir from the gift shop ($5.00) at the airport. Several months ago (and over two years later) a $6,000 charge appeared on my Mastercard bill for ?vitamins? from (you guessed it, Caracas, Venezuela).
When I reported it to the fraud department and it was finally taken off my bill, it turned out there was a money laundering outfit in Caracas they had been watching.

However, the feeling of violation, helplessness, upset, anger'a whole range of feelings--not to mention the time it took to get it taken care of when it was NOT my fault to begin with, to get a new card, to be grilled by the credit card companies, etc?you get the picture, and maybe it's even happened to you.
I know I'm not alone. It has since happened to be on several occasions so I've since gotten protection (insurance) and sleep well at night. I also am now proactive in my own behalf, which we all need to be. What do I do?

First, I check my Mastercard bill online at least once a week for any suspicious items and when (not if) I find one, I immediately call and challenge it. I will say the credit card companies have been very supportive in helping me, and oft times even suggest not just removing the item (conditionally at first, of course) but canceling my card and having a new one issued. I don't always want to do that. I have my picture on my card, I know the number by heart and I don't want the hassle. But I also don't want the hassle of anyone else knowing my information!

I only take those cards I will use on any given day with me.

I take important papers to the post office and hand them to the agent. For example, my passport was up for renewal this year. As you may know in order to renew, you need to send your current passport. I walked it into the post office and handed it to the agent. I'm happy to report I have my new one already, together with the old one as a souvenir.
This is a big topic, impacting all of us. Rest assured I will continue to write about it and provide as much ?what do I do? scenarios as I can, together with resources available to all of us.

If you've been impacted and want to tell me your story, email me at rosanne@identitytheftandyou.com or visit http://www.IdentityTheftandYou.com

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Both Joseph Hanoa & Rosanne Dausilio, Ph.d. are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Joseph Hanoa has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mortgage, Government Grants and Acid Reflux. Joseph is the proud owner of , a website that willexplain everything you need to know about. Joseph Hanoa's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.

Rosanne Dausilio, Ph.d. has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Business, Surveys and Customer Service. ROSANNE D'AUSILIO, Ph.D., industrial psychologist, President of Human Technologies Global, known as ?champion for the human? authors 3 best sellers, ?Wake Up Your Call Center: Humanize Your Interaction Hub,? Customer Service and the Human Experience, and. Rosanne Dausilio, Ph.d.'s top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.