True, the holiday’s is the hottest time when credit card fraud runs into the millions of dollars. There are many incidents of fraud out on the market and shopping is a very casual task many take for granted. A leading credit card company from the US reported losses in the millions of dollars that they do not readily publicize for it has an impact on their customers confidence in their systems.
There is no true protective measure for something as small and compact as a credit card which in the wrong hands can cost you a few hundred dollars or even max out your credit limit. Crime syndicates use the said tactic for their illegal activities where they have people who handle these fraudulent transactions. There is still a wide open gap when it comes to credit card which may be covered by newer fool-proof security. The addition of biometrics to the standard card swipe can provide an added level of security along with fingerprinting.
Simple steps can also be taken to prevent these actions towards you such as being careful where and when you use your credit cards. When paying, be sure to have in plain sight the reader or terminal where the card is swiped to be sure they are used only for the intended purchase a card fraud scheme wherein a separate card reader is used to record the information contained within the card has been going on for a long time where the captured information can be used for purchases. Before signing the print-out or receipt, be sure to check all details such as the purchase amount and other such vital information. If you do end up loosing a credit card or your whole wallet, immediately call your card company so the said card can be tagged as stolen so further purchases are not billed to you. If there happens to be any inaccuracies in your card’s statement, call information at once for there may be a problem with your card of worst somebody may have already copied the information from your original card. Vigilance and awareness is the key so be on the lookout for any dubious people around you. Keep safe people and a Merry Christmas to all.

Tags: Credit-Card-Fraud, Credit-Card-Tips, crime, Stolen-Credit-Cards

Categories: General, Physical Security, Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Security Policies, Tips

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Identity theft sounds like it’s mostly done online by hackers who try to scam your information off you, but some of the easiest techniques can be done without even logging in front of a computer.

Frank Abagnale is probably the best example of a successful identity thief. In the late sixties he created different personas to get jobs, free airplane trips, and draw money from various banks before being caught and sent to jail for six years. Since then he’s given his expertise to combatting the same crimes he was charged with, becoming one of the foremost document security experts out there. Here’s several tips from him on how to avoid getting your identity stolen:

• Shred, shred, shred. Dumpster diving can turn up documents with revealing personal information printed on them. Try to use a cross cut shredder to get Some of the documents you should shred are pre-printed checks and pre-approved credit card mailings. They may have your credit card or account numbers written on them, and it only takes a phone call to order and put that to your account.
• Check if you’re missing any mail, especially credit card records and bank statements. And while we’re on the topic of mail – go through your statements and make sure all of your purchases are accounted for.
• Don’t carry anything you don’t need. This applies to Social Security cards, extra credit cards, and any other papers. Leave them in a safe place at home. If you lose them or they get stolen they’ll be more than enough to take your identity.
• In the eventuality that your credit card or papers are stolen, know what government agencies and bank hotlines you can call to report it immediately. The smaller that window between the theft and the report, the shorter the time they can use your data.

[tags]identity theft, tips, Frank Abagnale[/tags]

Tags: Frank-Abagnale, identity-theft, Privacy-&-Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Tips

Categories: Privacy & Anonymity, Real-World Issues, Tips

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