What to Do After a Credit Card Scam
Of all the credit card scams, stealing your credit card is the most obvious fraud. Criminals can also steal your number and use it to make purchases or to take funds from your account as a form of identity theft. Skimming, phishing and advance-fee loan schemes are other scams. There are steps you can take if you have been a victim of a credit card scam.
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Definitions
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Skimming is a common type of credit card scam where the employee copies your receipt or uses a device called a skimmer to swipe and store your credit card number. It is easy for restaurant and bar employees to practice skimming, since they take possession of you card. Phishing is a scam where the thief tries to gain your credit card number and password, usually through a false email. Advance-fee loan scams prey on people who are desperate for credit and are willing to pay a fee to get a credit card. This usually turns out to be a scam, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Report Crime
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If you think you have been a victim of a credit card scam, you must report the incident. Tell your credit card company, the sooner the better, so that the company can block your card. By law, as soon as you report the theft to your credit card company you have no more responsibility for unauthorized use, and you are only liable for $50 per card. Have the company issue you a new card with a new number.
Report the theft to the police department. Get a copy of the police report.
Report the scam to the FTC at ftc.gov or call the FTC at (877) 382-4357. The FTC works for consumers to prevent fraud. After you register your complaint, this agency enters it into the Consumer Sentinel Network, which is an online database that law enforcements agencies use in the United States and abroad.
Call all three credit reporting agencies---Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You do not want a negative entry on your credit report for something you did not do.
Report the theft to your phone, electric, gas and water companies. You do not want anyone opening these types of accounts under your name.
If you were the victim of phishing, where you received a fake email leading you to believe it was from a legitimate company that you do business with, report the fraud to that company. Do not respond back to the bogus email. Initiate your own communication.
Other Actions
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To be safe, change all of you passwords. Use a strong one with about 10 characters, recommends Microsoft Online Safety. Keep a diary of all the steps you have taken to rectify the fraud.
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