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10 Tips To Prevent You From Being A Victim Of Credit Card FraudVictims of credit card fraud can tell you just how traumatic it can be. It's not just the potential money loss, it can also leave a bad mark on your credit report that can take years to sort out. Most people think that credit card fraud is when your wallet or purse is stolen, and the thief uses your credit cards to buy all sorts of goods and services. However, the number of purchases made online is growing at an incredible rate and so is the theft or misappropriation of people's credit card details. All the thief needs to cause havoc to your account is your credit card details, number, expiry date, name and security code. To prevent this from happening it is recommended that you take note of the followng credit card advice. Here are a few ways that a thief can get your details with appropriate prevention tips: * You get a phone call where the person on the line tells you about a special offer usually needing a fast response and your credit card details to make the purchase. Tip #1 - Never give out your credit card details to people who call to sell to you. Only provide it when you call a company to place a phone order and when you are sure that you are dealing with well-established reputable business. * You find out that someone has gone through the trash bags you left outside for the trash pick-up. Several days later you get your credit card statement and there are lots of purchases you knew nothing about. Tip #2 - Invest in a shredder! Make sure you completely destroy your credit card receipts and bank statements before throwing them out. Thieves do go through trash bags looking for your statements and other details of your identity. * You have a meal in a restaurant and use your credit card to pay for your bill. Your next credit card statement shows unauthorized charges dating from the time you had the meal. When you paid, the waiter made an extra imprint of your card when processing your bill, and then used the details to make internet purchases. Tip #3 - Make sure that you watch the waiter when he processes your bill and make sure that he knows you are watching. If he takes your card, insist that you go with him to the pay station to complete the transaction. So, what other measures can you take to stop you being a victim of credit card fraud? Here are some more tips: Tip #4 - If possible, do not carry your credit cards in your purse or wallet. If the worst happens and your wallet is stolen, you will not lose both your credit cards and your cash. Tip #5 - Only take the credit card that you are going to use that day - leave the others at home in a safe place. Tip #6 - Make a list of all your credit card details and issuer contact details. The sooner you can report any loss the less damage can be done and your accounts can be frozen until new cards are issued. Tip #7 - Never ever sign a blank receipt. Cross out any blank lines for tips on the receipt so that charges cannot be added. Always check your receipt befor you sign. Tip #8 - If you are buying goods online make sure that you do so via a secure site. Tip #9 - If you move house, let your credit card issuer know the new address as soon as possible. Thieves make it their business to know what is happening in the neighbourhood and will check mailboxes at empty houses hoping to pick up letters with bank, credit card and identity details. Tip #10 - Spam email is an increasing problem. You may recieve messages that appear to be from your bank, Ebay or Paypal asking for you to update your bank and credit card details. These emails look real. Never provide details when asked to by email. Always log in to the link provided by your bank or payment processor to make any amendments to your details. So there you have it.......Follow the tips above to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of credit card fraud! Other articles by this author »
About Jeff Brown
Jeff Brown is the writer of many articles on personal finance and credit card use. To read more articles like this one and for information on a range of online credit card deals, please click the link below: http://www.creditcardsdoctor.com. Related
And here is another random article you might be interested in... Getting Back to Basics: A Customer Service TaleOne hot summer day my daughter and I ventured to our local craft store with one mission in mind â€" purchase velvet covered coloring panels called fuzzy boards. Little did we know this simple trip would turn into such an adventure. The store advertised the boards on sale and offered a 40% discount coupon. My daughter excitedly selected two boards however I noticed different manufacturers produced them, so I asked her to select an extra board just in case both were not on sale. She did, and we proceeded to the cashier. With a half hour until closing, we eagerly approached the only open register, behind which stood two young women. This is when the adventure began, and things took a turn for the worse. We saw two store clerks at the check out. Seated on the floor was one associate who faced the cashier line and the other, the cashier, did not which made it impossible for her to be aware of approaching customers. When she saw us, the associate on the floor did cease her end of the conversation and told the cashier she had customers. Unfortunately, the cashier ignored this information because it took her a minute before she turned and greeted us with "Oh, I sorry." I'm not sure exactly what she apologized for because she then proceeded to continue her conversation. I told the cashier we needed to know if all of the items were on sale. Although she acknowledged the request, she still continued talking to the other associate and proceeded to scan all of the items for purchase. When I pointed out her error her response was "Oh, okay, sorry," and once again she resumed her conversation. She clearly was not present â€" her mind was engaged and committed elsewhere. Her actions communicated her conversation was far more important than this sale. The cashier did one final thing that was the final straw. After the correct total was tallied, my daughter handed the cashier a 40% off store coupon. The cashier took it and immediately threw the coupon away, turned to us with a smile and told us our total. At this point, I thought I was in the twilight zone or on some really bad reality show. When I asked why the coupon was thrown away, she explained the coupon was only valid on regularly priced items. After a very deep breath, I proceeded to share few ideas. First, I stated when she threw the coupon away, we were unclear why. I explained an explanation of her actions would have avoided any misunderstandings or ill will. She apologized once again, and said she understood and agreed. Second, I stated her inattentiveness during the transaction was inappropriate and did not make us feel like the valued customers we are. Finally, I said during business hours it is best to remain focused the most important component to retail success, customers. Personal conversations are best left for discussion after hours. Her associate must have agreed, too, because at this point she turned and walked way. This shopping excursion caused me to pause and think all service provider must always exhibit certain basic behaviors - customer service basics. Here are a few: Basic Rule #1 â€" Acknowledge Customer's How many times have you walked in a store and you weren't acknowledged? How did you feel? I can't tell you how many times I've witnessed service providers who take personal phone calls (or worse answer their cell), speak to other co-workers regarding non-urgent matters, or who simply walk away without explanation. Basic customer service requires an acknowledgement as soon a customer enters your establishment â€" whether you will be ready to provide service in one minute or twenty. An acknowledgement says "I'm glad to see you and value your business. We will help you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience." A little appreciation goes a long way, especially if at the time you find yourself short handed. As soon as you see customers...acknowledge them. Although this sounds obvious, it simply just isn't practiced as it should. Basic Rule #2 â€" Be Present and Listen When assisting customers, it is important to always be "present." Being present required you to be in the moment ready to provide your customer with your full, undivided attention from start to finish. It is imperative customer's always feel important and the center of attention. To accomplish this you must remain fully focused. Active listening is a critical component of any customer interaction. This is a big difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is the perception of sound. Active listening requires us to hear, interpret, and then take action. Active listening empowers us to consistently provide our customers exactly what they need. Basic Rule #3 â€" Explain Your Plan Customers need to know and want to understand the reason for your plan of action. Many times I have returned an item only to have the clerk shove a form and pen in front of me without so much as a please or explanation. As if I should be know what they want from me. Always clearly explain each step and the reason for your request. Appy these basic rules to give outstanding customer service. Copyright © 2004 Joy Fisher-Sykes. All rights reserved Print and Internet publication rights are granted, free of charge, for this article, provided the credit paragraph and copyright remain intact. Please eMail the author a copy of any ezine or newsletter using this article If you use this article on a website, please set resource link as a hyperlink Please send the URL of any place where the article is posted. Please snail mail copy of any printed publication using this article to: The Sykes Group Other articles by this author »
About Joy Fisher-Sykes
Joy Fisher-Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and success coach in the areas of leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail her at mailto:jfsykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call her at (757) 427-7032. Go to her web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive the free ebook, "Secrets, Stories, and Tips for Marvelous Customer Service." Related
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