Identity theft is an illegal activity that is growing faster than any other type of crime in America today. The Federal Trade Commission predicts that one in every ten people will fall victim to identity theft this year. One form of this crime is known as credit card skimming. This is a way for identity thieves to get your credit card information and keep it on a storage device to be utilized later for fraudulent purposes.
An identity theft has to simply swipe the card through the skimmer, like when you swipe it through the machine at the local store. It takes only a small amount of technology and all of the items that are required to make a skimmer can be found at radio shack or the internet. The criminals will use the information themselves or sell it to other criminals all over the country, or even the world.
This crime can happen anywhere that you can use your credit or debit card. Examples include ATM's, gas pumps, retail stores, basically anywhere you can swipe a card. A bar or restaurant is probably the easiest place for skimming to happen because you will hand someone your card and lose sight of it for a period of time.
There are a few simple precautions that one can take to avoid credit card skimming. First, only use your credit or debit card in environments that you are comfortable and familiar with. Be aware of your surroundings.
Utilize cash more often than credit cards. Check out the machine you are using. If it doesn't look right don't take the chance. And most importantly, treat your credit card like it is gold! Finally, check your accounts on a daily basis.
If you are victim to a fraudulent charge you should let law enforcement know and close up your accounts before the activity gets out of control. It is helpful to law enforcement if the first point of credit card skimming can be found. Such investigations have the capacity to be lengthy and usually involve several states and jurisdictions. The sooner you can catch the fraudulent activity, the better.
Mallory Megan is employed by a debt collection agency. Also she composes articlesabout finance and business, consumer spending and debt collection.
Orignal From: Credit Card Skimming - How To Prevent It
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