Protecting Yourself from Credit Card Fraud
In the wake of a major credit card fraud scam at a gas station in Sierra Madre in December, South Pasadena Police Detectives offer tips on how people can protect themselves from credit card fraud.
With the rise of credit card fraud and the publicity surrounding the major credit card scam at a gas station in nearby Sierra Madre this past December, South Pasadena Police Detectives offered tips on how to avoid being the victim of fraud.
According to Detective Richard Lee, the South Pasadena Police Department receives an average of one credit card fraud report per week. These reports range from stolen mail to credit card skimmers, which are devices that capture credit card account numbers and other personal information from a card's magnetic strip.
Sgt. Tony Abdalla said skimming is a more unusual occurrence in South Pasadena, although it does happen, as it did at the Sierra Madre gas station. "Most often, skimming devices are placed in gas stations on off hours," Sgt. Abdalla said. "We're out there actively looking."
Lee noted an incident a few months ago where witnesses spotted a suspect tampering with a credit card compartment on a gas pump at the Chevron station, only a block away from the police department. Police stopped the suspect before he could capture credit card numbers from a skimmer he tried to install.
Lee also said credit cards are safer to use than debit cards. "Credit cards have a lot more buyer protection," he said. "Criminals prefer debit cards, since they are connected to checking accounts and they are able to make cash withdrawals," he wrote in a recent crime newsletter.
Tips from South Pasadena Police Detectives:
- When using any ATM, look for any signs of tampering. Give the card reader a quick tug to see if a skimmer has been placed over it.
- Cover your hand when entering your PIN. Keep a watch for “shoulder surfers.”
- Notify your bank when you leave and return to the country.
- Review credit card statements on a regular basis.
- Shred any old credit cards, statements and receipts.
- Keep a record of your account numbers and bank contact phone number.
- Notify your bank immediately should you suspect any fraudulent charges.
- Check the authenticity of merchants before ordering online and be sure to use a secure web browser.
- Be careful with outgoing and incoming mail. Get a P.O. Box or a mailbox with a lock to protect your new credit or debit cards, bank statements and credit card statements. Do not put outgoing bills in your mailbox.
- Pay attention to billing cycles. Immediately call your bank or credit card company if you don't receive your bill.
- To avoid check fraud, guard your checkbook like cash, reconcile your statements and shred old or canceled checks. Also, never endorse a check until you are ready to deposit it.
Ron Rosen
8:27 am on Sunday, February 27, 2011
I tried to report a credit-card incident at SPPD last month. I had been hit with two small "test" withdrawals amounting to $100. I came to the PD and handed them a copy of the bill and a written description. I even had a phone number that might have been good, although thieves usually use temporary cell numbers. I gave the guy at the desk my information. He went in the back and got someone else who asked me to fill out a form. Nothing happened for several days. I called back again and was told I had never actually filed a report and that the person who gave me the form and thanked me was not an officer. Sure had me fooled. A week or two later, a major charge hit my bill. I doubt the police report would have prevented it, but the reporting procedure was odd.
Elizabeth Short
11:11 am on Sunday, February 27, 2011
Typical SPPD experience.
MailBoss
3:26 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2011
@Ron - next time immediately issue a fraud alert with one of the national credit card bureaus ... then report to Police and FTC. Your experience sounds pretty typical, though, as police don't usually devote to much time or attention to identity theft.
In general, low-tech methods of identity theft are most common - stolen wallets/purses, mail theft, dumpster diving. Some good tips here to protect yourself, significantly use a locked mailbox and don't send sensitive mail from an unsecured mailbox. Use online bill pay instead. It's important to realize that not all locking mailboxes are secure - many highly vulnerable to fishing by hand, and most all are vulnerable to leveraged entry with a household screwdriver. A good high security option is Mail Boss available at your local Ace Hardware.
Ron Rosen
5:38 pm on Thursday, March 3, 2011
I did issue a fraud alert. When I went to the PD, I had a phone number that might have led to the perp, although probably not. I was just surprised that when I thought I was making a report, I was not.