ArticleMap.com

The Easy Way To Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud

With more and more of us in the UK shopping online, protecting yourself against credit card fraud becomes increasingly important. There are several things we can do to help foil fraudsters from getting their hands on your credit card information and ultimately your identity. Most credit card companies offer fraud protection cover. If you report any loss of your card within 24 hours the cardholder is only liable for a small, fixed amount - a bit like car insurance excess.

In the meantime, every cardholder should take the following steps to protect themselves:

* Get insurance: There are credit cards available on the market, which offer 'Identity Theft Insurance Cover'. * Get protection cover: Most card issuers offer a registration scheme, which should be a free service. It means online transactions will require an additional password to verify your identity. * Keep your records private: Don't let anyone know your pin number or use an easily traced pin number, such as a birthday or telephone number. * Hide or destroy your documents: It is sensible to purchase a shredding machine and regularly shred receipts documents sent from your card provider. * Make sure your computer is safe: Make sure you keep your computer secure with anti virus and firewall protection. There's a new piece of technology available, for example, called a 'phishing filter', which will protect you from fraudsters. * Don't email your personal details: Don't send Your PIN numbers or passwords to anybody, even if the person you are sending them to is trustworthy, you don't know who could be accessing your computer. * Don't give your personal details to cold callers. * Be aware who is looking over your shoulder: Cover the screen on the card terminal when you type in your PIN in a shop or at a cash-point. * Keep up to date: Read your statements thoroughly and make sure that you can recollect any expenditure, or tally with your receipts.

Identity theft is as serious as credit card fraud and it can happen to even the most cautious. Your identity can be stolen and then used to get loans and even mortgages without your express permission. These loans are taken out in your name and, if defaulted upon, leaving you with the debt. Some credit cards do offer additional identity theft cover, but there is usually a monthly charge for this additional service. This might be worth considering, particularly if you travel widely, or use your credit card extensively, thereby putting you more at risk.

'Identity Theft Cover' does three basic tasks. It will prevent identity theft, detect potential criminal activity using your details, and defend against the theft of your name. Clearing your good name can take hundreds of man-hours, because all the credit agencies have to be contacted and back up documents provided to all of them to restore your credit rating (which is vital if you ever need a loan or mortgage in the future). The insurer will do all of these things using its own team of experts, removing a lot of the time and hassle on your part. In some cases, victims can find their bank accounts frozen. In circumstances like this, adequate cover would provide you with funds should you find yourself without use of a bank account, pending a criminal investigation; your legal fees are also covered.

Taking these steps will go a long way to protecting yourself against credit card fraud and identity theft. Either could have devastating effects on your own finances and your own credit rating, making it almost impossible to get mortgages and loans. The time taken to resolve these issues can be laborious and time consuming. Remember: In an Internet and high speed world we must be vigilant at all times because credit fraud is on the rise and you don't want it happening to you.

Article Source: http://www.articlemap.com

Felicity Gardener has her finger on the pulse of Credit Card Fraud prevention and protection. Read her detailed advice which will help you foil fraudsters from getting their hands on your credit card information and ultimately your identity.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Credit Cards Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Finance | Credit Cards

30 Common Sense Tips To Reduce Expenses - By : Judy Turner
Credit Repair: Credit Cards - By : William Blake.
Tips To Use When Choosing A Credit Card - By : Steven J. Talrechi.
Dig Yourself Out of Debt Forever - By : John Mercer
Caution Emergency Ahead - Planning for Payments - By : Landon McGehee.
Getting An Online Credit Card Can Be Fast And Easy - By : Nick Makaryk
Handle Your Credit Card Debt By Consolidating Your Payments - By : Nick Makaryk
Credit Card Offers Online - By : Nick Makaryk
Establishing Credit though Student Credit Cards - By : Nick Makaryk
Credit Cards - By : Steven J. Talrechi.

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
i Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds

Press Release
About Us
Link To Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Highly Recommended:

Sponsored Ads:

Recommended Hosting

Related Sister Site:
Submit Health Articles Now