Credit Card Fraud

Each year consumers lose billions of dollars as a result of credit card fraud. By taking some simple precautions you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.

• Sign new cards when they arrive in the mail.
• Destroy old credit cards.
• Close out accounts you don't use on a regular basis.
• Keep your cards in a safe place.
• Shred anything with your card number printed on it.
• Save credit card receipts to verify charges on your billing statement.
• Know when your billing statements should arrive. If you don't receive your statement, contact the card issuer immediately!
• Don't give anyone your credit card number over the telephone unless YOU initiated the call.
• Don't use an obvious personal identification number (PIN) number.
• Memorize your PIN.
• Request a copy of your credit report every few years.

• Contact the card issuer as soon as possible.
• Send written confirmation of the "unauthorized charges" to the card issuer.
• Pay the undisputed charges.

For more information visit the Fraud Information Center at:

If you have further questions or would like to learn more about credit, contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service of West Florida