Credit Card Scams! Consumer Beware!
Credit card scams and internet credit card fraud is dramatically rising. It is becoming safer at this point to enter a credit card number online through a secure (SSL) order form than to give your card to a sales person or use in a restaurant.
- Not too long ago, one of the major news channels had a "breaking news" story that involved credit card scams in restaurants and any other establishments you hand over your credit card to be "swiped".
- This fraud is called "skimming". After you have your meal and hand your credit card to a waitress/waiter or salesperson, this person runs your card not once, but twice.
- The card is run the first time for the total of your order and, then again, on a magnetic card reader.
- The information is then copied onto a blank credit card and is usually sold to a third party, although there have been many cases of the person using the card themselves.
I think the majority of people use credit cards for most of their business transactions, because of the convenience, and don't like to carry cash.
Because of increased scams, the credit card companies are taking steps to make the process more secure for us to use our cards.
This is no guarantee against credit card scams, but it can certainly cut down on the chance of it happening to you.
- Credit cards now come with an array of different images such as hidden images, secret imprints, and even have holograms imbedded on them.
- If you have been a victim of a credit card scam, the merchandise a thief buys is usually not required to be paid back to the credit card companies.
If you find yourself a victim of identity theft your maximum liability under the United States Federal Law, (Truth in Lending Act) limits your lose to $50.00 per credit card.
Many credit card issuers waive that fee for their good customers.
You can refuse to pay any part of the unauthorized charges while the theft is being investigated.
Debit cards are a completely different animal and have a different law called the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
You have to notify your bank within 2 business days of finding out you’re debit card has been stolen or lost to limit your liability to $50.
If you wait any longer than that, but report to your bank the fraudulent transactions within 60 days of when your statement is mailed, your maximum liability goes up to $500.
If you miss that deadline, you are in danger of losing all your money in that account.
The debit card accesses funds directly from your account and you can be left up the “proverbial creek without a paddle” while the fraud is investigated.
I had this happen to me. I go over my statement and transactions every few days online and noticed a $150.00 charge from my debit card. I called the bank right away to report what happened.
I changed my account number and PIN (that’s very important to do) and then waited for the bank to investigate.
The bank gave back the money in my account on a TEMPORARY basis until the completion of the investigation.
I NEVER added this to my account. I pretended it wasn’t there. I didn’t want to spend the money and then find out I wasn’t really going to get it back.
It took 3 MONTHS for me to get this resolved because the company where the debit card number was used had 45 days in which to reply. The whole investigative process left a lot to be desired.
Even if you are not held responsible for the purchases, the experience is mind-numbing and will certainly raise your blood pressure to unhealthy levels.
Please protect yourself from credit card scams by protecting the card, your card number and the sales slip from the credit card. See identity theft scams and nigerian scams for more.
Credit Card Scam Tips
- Never lend your cards to anyone.
- Every time you use your credit card and have to put in your PIN numbers, make sure you guard against anyone being able to see the numbers you are putting in.
- A few times I have actually had people behind me try to do what is called "shoulder surfing".
This is when the person behind you "crowds" you and tries to see your card number and/or the PIN number you are putting in.
- Shred all the credit card offers, receipts, and anything with your credit card numbers or personal information on them. Remember, dumpster diving is a real threat to your identity.
- Make sure you know your PIN number by heart and don't keep it on you, written down on something or in your purse/wallet. If your wallet/purse is stolen, the thief also has access to this personal information.
- Always make sure you carry around ONLY the credit cards you need. Carrying around extra credit cards is a very dangerous thing to do.
- If any person or company calls to verify your credit card information over the phone or on the internet, DON'T do it.
Verify directly with the company in question whether they really did try to contact you.
- Most companies do NOT ask for this type of personal information over the phone because identity theft is so prevalent.
- Make sure you phone the company with the number on the back of the card and NOT the bogus number on your internet letter, or the phone number a caller might give you.
- Whenever you receive a credit card statement, make sure you review the statement for any charges that you did not make.
It is also a good idea to keep your credit card receipts and check them against your statement.
- Notify your credit card companies and any other companies that you send personal information to in advance, if you are moving.
- Whenever you use a credit card at a store, restaurant, etc, make sure the credit slip is not left lying around on the counter.
If I use my card, I always make sure this is done before I leave.
- The FTC helps the consumer to prevent deceptive, fraudulent and unfair practices by business.
If you need free information or to file a complaint, please go to fc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357): TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
Use the above tips to help you in your fight against credit card scams. It is well worth the extra steps you may take (as I personally found out) to keep your identity safe.
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