While it would be impossible to prevent yourself from ever being a victim of fraud, there are too many ways in which you can be compromised, it is important to reduce the likelihood of being a victim of fraud and it is important to know what to do if you have been a victim of fraud. These two aspects will provide people with the confidence and information to make informed decisions that will hopefully help them to enjoy their life to the full and to get their life back on track when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of fraud.
Try and minimise the likelihood of your Card being stolen
It stands to reason that one of the biggest risks of theft and fraud relates to having your card stolen. If your purse or wallet is snatched from you, it can be a very traumatic time and you may feel as though everything is conspiring against you. You need to try and minimise the exposure of your wallet, purse or cards and in certain areas, you should look to keep your belongings as safe as possible.
This is hardly the best way to live your life but by being extra cautious and paying attention to the risks associated in certain places or locations, you’ll find that it becomes easier to safeguard your cards. You should also take care when disposing of your card. It is important that you cut your card up into strips and if you can, place these strips into different bags or dispose of them in different locations. The modern fraudster is becoming highly sophisticated but they will think nothing of rifling through trash and then piecing cards back together in order to obtain the information that they need. You should also take a similar approach when looking to dispose of bank statements.
Keep a close eye on your Cards
There is also a lot to be said for paying attention to your card when you are in the process of using it. If you are in a situation where your card is taken away to be swiped, how can you be sure that it won’t be copied or cloned? A fraudster can swipe a card through a skimming device as quickly as it can be swiped through a payment device, and this is a genuine concern for many people when it comes to card theft. If you are worried about your card, ask for the card to be swiped in front of you or follow the employee of the restaurant, bar or store to where the card will be swiped. If you are uncomfortable at any point when it comes to dealing with card issues or payments, make sure that you take steps to make yourself more comfortable.
Of course, there are threats online as well as offline, and you need to be aware of the dangers that face you when you shop online. Don’t shop on sites where you don’t feel comfortable and always look for some security aspect, like the padlock at the start of the web address, when it comes to spending money online. In the same way that you would leave a physical store where you didn’t feel comfortable, you should leave an online store where things don’t feel right to you. Too many people have hade suspicions about online retail stores but decided to shop there anyway and have been left to deal with the consequences in the long-term. No matter how good a deal or offer seems to be, it isn’t worth risking your safety and security, so always make sure that you feel confident when you shop online.
If your card has been stolen or compromised, you need to report it immediately. It can be helpful to know the contact details of your card providers or at the very least, know their website address so you can contact them at any given point. The card company will run through what to do, and they will provide you with the best information and guidance.
Having your credit card stolen or compromised can be a very traumatic time but knowing how to react is of considerable benefit. If you are looking to stay safe, be sure to keep your cards safe at all times and learn how to react to credit card theft and fraud.
Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professionally for 9 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn’t sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.
