Take These Steps To Avoid Credit Card Fraud
Reduce your risk of becoming a victim of Credit Card Fraud by following our four step outline below. All over the world it's a hot topic, so we're showing you here a few ways you can protect yourself.
And remember to treat your credit card like cash. It's as delicate as paper money, and if you lose it or it gets stolen, call the credit card company right away. Furthermore, should you notice on your statement a transaction that you didn’t authorize, call immediately! The sooner you act, the less opportunity the fraudsters have to use your card number again.
If Your Card Is Compromised...
First - Contact your credit card company without delay. The issuer of your card will block the card immediately and you'll be sent a new one.
Second - Notify the two main Canadian credit reporting bureaus (Equifax and Trans Union) and have them place fraud alerts in your credit file. Request a copy of your credit record from them and check for yourself that the debts listed there are yours.
Third - Inform the police in your area.
Fourth - Advise the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre - they can be reached at AntiFraudCentre.ca.
The most effective way to avoid Credit Card Fraud is to ensure you shop wisely. If you are shopping online, keep these handy hints in mind to avoid any risk before it happens. Use only a secure and reputable site that begins with https:// or one with a padlock image that appears in the URL bar. When making purchases, do so only from recognized companies. Also, avoid making any purchases via a shared or public WIFI connection. Ensure that you are on a secure and private line. Finally, it would certainly help if your anti-virus software is updated regularly.
Remember to never provide financial or personal information. If you are asked to provide any personal or financial information by e-mail or text messaging, there is a risk of phishing. Please do not click any web links or embedded e-mail addresses, and do not call the phone number they give you.
Should this happen - please communicate directly with your financial institution via a listed phone number or one found on a statement from your previous files. Please do not be fooled if the email is accompanied by a bank or financial institution logo and it looks real. Remember that in Canada, banks and financial institutions will never contact you by e-mail to request personal or financial information. That is the law.
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