Steve is an author of several articles pertaining to Credit Cards. He is known for his expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.
Credit card fraud cases referred to credit reference company Experian have risen by over 66% last year. 6,000 victims of credit card fraud contacted the company in comparison with the 3,500 in 2006.
It is thought that increases in card fraud are caused to an increase in organised crime in the area. Everyone is a potential identity fraud victim, some more so than others. Identity fraud is becoming more common and there are things we can do to prevent ourselves becoming affected.
Londoners are more likely to become victims of fraud than other areas of the UK. Those who rent or live in a shared house are at a greater risk of identity fraud as they move frequently and share communal mail boxes. 36% of identity fraud occurs through forwarding address fraud. The fraudster will forward the post to a drop address and collect the post themselves; gaining all the details they need to gain access to the victim’s accounts.
Regularly checking your credit report will enable you to see if any fraudulent activity has occurred. Simple steps such as shielding your pin when using a cash point, not using cash points that look as though they have been tampered with a being careful of the details you pass over the phone when in public can help prevent you from falling victim to credit card fraud. Thanks to chip and pin machines, when paying for goods your card need not be taken out of your sight. This lowers the chance of having your card “skimmed”. Shredding your receipts and bank statements when you are finished with them is a good way of preventing your information from being stolen after you have disposed of it. It is also advisable to make sure your pin number is not traceable. This means avoiding obvious numbers such as birthdates and addresses.
If you do fall victim to credit card fraud the law states you are not responsible for any fraudulent activity if the original card is still in your possession. This means that your bank should refund any money you may have lost. If the card is lost and stolen and fraudulent activity happens then you are required to pay damages of up to £50 by the Consumer Credit Act and the Banking Code. Chip and Pin was introduced to cut down card fraud after a similar system was introduced in France cutting card crime by 50%. However, it seems as though the system ahs not been as successful as the authorities had hoped. By being aware of the risks you are able to be proactive about making it harder for the fraudsters to target you.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Is There Such a Thing as a Bad Credit Gas Card?
- Prepaid Credit Debit Cards Help Guide
- Tips to Eliminate Having Bad Credit History Cards
- Bad Credit Visa Cards – Ways to Get a Credit Card with Poor Credit
- Bad Credit Debit Card Loans – Great Support for People without Good Credit Record
- Bad credit history card
- Bad credit visas cards
- Bad credit master card
What are the best rewards i can expect from my Irish credit card?
By: Peter Carville | 23/12/2009If you are contemplating getting yourself a new Irish credit card, then you must certainly look for the best rewards and incentives that are on offer. This way you will not miss out on the best deals available out there.
How To Get Credit Card After Bankruptcy Help
By: Ricky Lim | 23/12/2009Going bankrupt can be one of the hardest challenges you might ever have to face in life. The worse thing is that you can get declined by lenders and banks when you try to apply for a loan that is supposed to help you get out of bankruptcy.
How Often Should You Check Your Credit Score?
By: Ernie Gentile | 22/12/2009Who else is wondering how often they should check their credit score? If you are anything like I was when I first got started learning about my credit, (and trying hard to fix it!) the very first question that comes to mind is how often do I need to CHECK my actual score to stay current? Does it change daily...weekly, monthly or what?
The Benefits of Knowing Your Credit Score -The One Reason Your Credit Score is Crucial!
By: Ernie Gentile | 22/12/2009Who else is trying to figure out the benefit of knowing your credit score? Does knowing your score help you get a better rate on your loan? How about qualify for a fancier credit card....or even get a better insurance rate, or job offer? Does simply having your score handy offer any of these advantages....or is it simply a small step in an overall SMART financial strategy?
How You Can Tell If Your Credit Score is Bad (No More Humiliating Credit Rejection Letters)
By: Ernie Gentile | 22/12/2009Who else is unsure whether or not they're credit score is bad? Have you seen your score....but simply are completely unsure how to interpret it correctly? If you are anything like I was when I first got started on the path to understanding (and fixing!) my credit score and report, you are probably completely overwhelmed with confusing data, strange codes, explanations that don't seem to fit, and a score that might as well come from out of space or be written in Greek!
Raise Your Credit Score On Your Own (Without Paying For Professional Credit Repair!)
By: Ernie Gentile | 22/12/2009Who else wants to learn how to raise their credit score by themselves? If you are anything like the vast majority of people who enjoy our credit and financial tips, the simple truth is that you're already pretty frustrated at the high price (and confusing advice) offered by most credit clinics and counselors.
Is a Credit Score Really That Important? What You Don't Know About Your Credit Score Can Hurt You
By: Ernie Gentile | 22/12/2009How important is your credit score? Can it really affect your life in dramatic and important ways.....or is it only ONE simple measurement in a sea of statistics that people use to judge your financial worthiness? Will it effect your ability to get a job? Housing? Insurance? Or is all of the focus on checking your credit score regularly just silly and for uptight people who don't have anything better to do with their time?
Check Your Credit Score Online (Without Paying Tons Or Being Ripped Off!)
By: Ernie Gentile | 22/12/2009Who else is thinking about checking your credit score? If you are anything like hundreds of thousands of Americans who are suffering from the deleterious effects of a negative credit rating.....it is imperative to have a firm grip on EXACTLY what your score says, before applying for ANY credit at all!
Whiplash – From Accident to Recovery
By: Steve Weston | 10/07/2008 | Personal InjuryThe term whiplash covers a range of neck injuries which are caused by or related to a sudden twist or jerk of the neck. Soft tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons of the neck can be affected by this injury.
Loans – the Process of Getting Credit
By: Steve Weston | 10/07/2008 | LoansIf you are looking to get a loan there a few things you can do to make sure you get the best deal you can. As the current economic climate is turbulent, lenders are becoming more stringent in their application processes. Try to make sure you credit record is a clean as it can be so you are more of a likely candidate for a loan.
Life Insurance – Genetic Tests are Postponed
By: Steve Weston | 10/07/2008 | InsuranceLife insurance is incredibly important, providing reassurance in the event of your death, contraction of critical illness or terminal illness amongst other things. The policy will provide you and your loved ones with financial support in adverse circumstances.
Credit Cards – Card Fraud
By: Steve Weston | 10/07/2008 | CreditCredit card fraud cases referred to credit reference company Experian have risen by over 66% last year. 6,000 victims of credit card fraud contacted the company in comparison with the 3,500 in 2006.