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Nine things YOU can do to minimize
credit card fraud:
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1.
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Report lost or stolen cards immediately
by calling your credit card provider.
And, to be on the safe side, check your
cards periodically, just to make sure
you have them all. A little advance
preparation also helps. Make a
photocopy of the front and back of all
credit cards in your possession and
store the copies in a safe, accessible
place. In the event your wallet and/or
credit cards are lost or stolen, the
account numbers and phone number(s) of
the credit card provider are handy.
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2.
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Never give your account number or other
personal information over the phone,
e-mail, or the internet unless you
initiated the contact and you're
positive you are dealing with a
legitimate business.
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3.
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Keep your PIN (Personal Identification
Number) absolutely confidential. Don't
write it on your card or carry it with
you, and never give it out over the
phone.
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4.
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Review your monthly statement
carefully, and report any unauthorized
charges immediately.
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5.
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If you don't receive your monthly
statement, call your card provider to
verify your mailing address. If the
address is correct, you will need to
notify your post office of possible
mail fraud.
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6.
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When mailing a payment, take it
directly to the post office mail
deposit or personally hand it to your
regular mail carrier. Do not leave it
unattended at your home or rural
mailbox.
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7.
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Shread or destroy (so the name and
account information is unrecoverable)
old statements that contain your
account number prior to tossing in the
trash or recycling.
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8.
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Sign your new credit cards as soon as
you get them. Old or expired cards
should be cut up (destroyed so the name
and account information is
unrecoverable) and thrown away.
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9.
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When making an in-person purchase, try
to maintain visual contact with your
credit card throughout the purchase and
authorization process. Be sure the card
returned to you is yours.
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