Credit Card Scams

Recently, my credit card was compromised right under me. I say this because I was at a large reputable restaurant that I had been to a number of times. My friends and I decided to split the bill. Some of them threw in cash while others paid by credit card. I charged my portion of the card and left. A couple of weeks later, the bill came and I had been charged for 3 times my bill. The waitress had taken the cash that my friends had paid and charged that amount to me. She did this after I left which meant she rung up two bills that day, had me sign one, and then rang it again and forged my signature. When I called the credit card company, the first supervisor told me that the signature was valid and that they never check signatures. She then proceeded to tell me a story about how she used to take her dad's credit card and sign his name and nobody would refuse her. Can you believe it?

After this incident, I have been on the watch for credit card scams. There are so many these days and it is so easy for people to take your credit card number. After taking your number, they can use it online really easily and buy a ton of stuff. You won't know it until you find out. And, if you don't alert the credit card company that your number has been stolen, you may be responsible for all of the items that were charged to your card. The problem is, you won't know the number has been stolen until you look at the bill. So, the thief could get away with thousands of dollars in stuff and you might have to pay the entire bill. Yes, this happened to one man!

So, here are some ways that people can take your credit card number. I'm sharing this with you so you can be on the look-out. It is too easy for your information to be compromised these days, so be careful and watch out during these situations.

1. When someone rings up your bill and you hand your credit card over. You hand the credit card to the person and they ring up your bill. You chat with your friend or talk on the phone or admire the stuff you are about to buy. Little do you know that they can either write down your number or even take a picture of the number with their cell phone. If you aren't paying attention, they can use their cell phone, take a picture of the numbers and the security code, and you'll be compromised.

2. When you make a purchase online, always make sure the site is secure and the store is legitimate. These days, people are setting up fake stores just to get your credit card number. One way around this is to generate one time use numbers that have a certain limit so the actual numbers won't be taken.

3. When you call customer service and you are supposed to read the number to the rep., but you've dialed the wrong number. Again, make sure you've called the correct customer service number. Some people have called the wrong place or some companies have purchased toll free numbers that are really close to the original store's number. If you misdial, a representative will help you and take your credit card number. Make sure the representative is with that business by asking them a question. An easy way is to pick a product and ask them to read you the SKU. Or, pick something on their website and ask them about it. If they can't explain it, you've most likely called the wrong number.

4. If you leave a receipt lying around and don't take it with you. Oftentimes, you may be at a restaurant and are asked to sign the receipt. If you don't take your personal copy with you, anyone can take that top copy. Sometimes, the credit card numbers are still printed on the receipts (if the store has an older machine). Don't leave your credit card receipts at the store.

5. If you leave your mail in the mailbox for more than a day. Don't do this. Ask your neighbor or friend to pick up your mail. Thieves look for unchecked mail and will take the mail to get your personal information. If you get your credit card statement in the mail, make sure you do not leave it out. This method is too easy and it only takes a second.

6. When you hand the card to a server or anyone to charge your card, make sure you receive the same card back. Oftentimes, a person will use the same type of card, Discover, Citibank, etc. and just swap it out. Therefore, you receive John Doe's card back instead of your own, and your credit card is gone. Double check to make sure your name is on the card and that it is your card.

7. If you use your credit/ATM card at a gas station or an ATM, make sure there is no skimmer installed on the credit card machine. A skimmer is a device that will steal your credit card number off of your card. The device doesn't look like it is part of the machine and will usually be easy to remove if you pull on it. Check the machine and make sure there are no attachments before you use it.