Stolen Credit Card Numbers

You pride yourself on your iron-clad personal safety. Never do you leave your wallet unguarded, and you are wise to the attempts of phone scammers who try to get vital personal information from you. As careful as you are, even you are not immune to this threat. You may be surprised to know that even cautious, savvy people can be the innocent victims of thieving predators. Here are some additional facts you may not have realized.

Think again about your credit card. If you’re like many people, you probably used it recently to buy groceries or dinner at a restaurant. Sure, your card may be back in your wallet. However, it left your possession—often for several minutes—while your purchase transaction was being processed. That would have given a criminal more than enough time to copy your name, address, credit card number and expiration date, as well as the three-digit security number, off your card. While you may have that piece of plastic in your possession, the thief has something just as good: your stolen credit card numbers. Once he or she has them and the information with which they are associated, there is an entire Internet bursting with items to purchase, including costly electronics and pornography.

So what can you do to protect yourself from the danger of stolen credit card numbers? While you can’t control every aspect of your transaction, there definitely are steps you can take. Most important, be your own security guard. Frequently check your credit card balance, either by phone or online. If any charges don’t sound right, contact your card company immediately. Next, carefully look at all receipts you get. If you notice that any contain your full credit card number, express your concern to the business. These days, companies can change their slips to only show a portion of your information. Next, protect yourself from stolen credit card numbers by making sure you are not leaving sensitive information in places where it can be found. Credit card number predators frequently scour garbage cans for documents that have not been sufficiently shredded. Once they find them, your account is an open book. Finally, don’t forget about Internet security. If you are like many people, you are purchasing more and more items online. You cannot automatically assume that all websites are secure. Make sure you are doing business with an established company which has a solid record with consumer organizations and/or the Better Business Bureau. In addition, ensure that the network you are using is secure and cannot be compromised by interlopers.

Even with these safeguards in place, the sad reality is that you still may experience the anxiety and frustration that comes with stolen credit card numbers at least once in your life. If you come to realize that your security has been breached, there are definitely things you can and should do to minimize the damage. First, report the theft immediately to your credit card company. You will not be held liable for losses above fifty dollars if you report the incident right away, but might be financially responsible if you delay. Within seconds, your credit card company will put a lock on your card number, effectively blocking any further transactions. They will also contact the authorities, who will attempt to catch the perpetrators. You also might choose to take advantage of some of the premium security products sold by your credit card company or the three major credit bureaus. These can notify you if your card is used to purchase items costing more than a specific amount. Some packages also take over the tedious and anxiety-provoking process of notifying credit card companies and merchants if your wallet is stolen.

Fortunately, many businesses and companies are hard at work trying to protect consumers from credit card fraud, including stolen credit card numbers. The rash of these crimes costs the industry millions upon millions of dollars each year and robs all of us of our peace of mind. Although a perfect solution to this difficult problem may never be found, you do have a great deal of control. Protect yourself from stolen credit card numbers by being vigilant and careful, and staying abreast of innovations in the area of personal security.