Posted by: thepinetree on 12/18/2008 02:56 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 12/18/2008 03:01 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
Credit Card Fraud Crime Prevention Advisory
The Calaveras County Sheriffs Office has been receiving reports of increased attempts to obtain citizens' credit card information for fraudulent purposes. Many residents throughout the county have recently received phone calls by individuals posing as employees of credit card companies or financial institutions. These callers ask that people "verify" their credit card information. The Sheriffs Office warns that credit card companies and financial institutions do not initiate calls or emails requesting customers to "update" or "verify" credit card information....
Citizens are advised to note the caller ID number and ask for the person's name and employee number. Next, end the conversation, and phone the credit card issuer's 800 number to report the attempt gain information to the financial institution.
In order to help prevent credit card fraud, the Sheriffs Office is also providing the following list of precautions:
*Do business only with companies you know. Do not give out your credit card number to make a purchase or reservation unless you initiated the transaction.
* Shop only at secure websites that use encryption software to transfer data from your computer to the merchant and that have strong privacy and security policies.
*Never give your credit cards to someone else to use on your behalf
* Watch your credit card after giving it to store clerks to protect against extra imprints being made.
* Destroy any carbons. Do not discard into a trash container at the purchase counter.
* Protect your wallet or purse, especially when traveling or in crowded situations.
* If you receive pre approved credit card offers in the mail, do not discard them without shredding them first.
* If you are expecting new credit cards in the mail and they do not arrive, or you do not receive your statement at the expected time, call the credit card issuer immediately.
* Check your credit card bills carefully each month. If you discover purchases you did not make, contact the credit card company to file a dispute claim and close the account.
* Obtain a copy of your credit report at least once a year and review it for any unexpected activity.
Report any iregularities to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax ,www.equifax.com"Experian
:www.experian.com~ and Trans Union 'www.transunion.coml
|
