| Identity theft is quickly becoming one of the | | | | the number and expiration date. |
| most dangerous crimes in America. People are | | | | 3. Temporary Numbers |
| losing thousands of dollars and months, if not | | | | Third, look into finding a credit card that provides |
| years, of their lives to correct the damage to | | | | temporary numbers for Internet purchases. This |
| their credit and their reputations. A large part of | | | | is a new feature of certain credit card companies |
| identity theft is credit card fraud, where | | | | out there to prevent fraud. Each time you buy |
| somebody either uses your credit cards to make | | | | something online, your card provides you with a |
| illegal purchases, or opens up a completely new | | | | unique new number known only to you. |
| credit card in your name and goes on a spending | | | | 4. Get a Shredder |
| spree to end all spending sprees. | | | | When it comes to preventing criminals from |
| 1. Be Careful with Your Personal Information | | | | opening up new cards in your name, one of the |
| Online | | | | tried and true ways to prevent this form of fraud |
| It's really no laughing matter, though, and you | | | | is by shredding each and every document that |
| should take serious steps to avoiding credit card | | | | comes to you in the mail. This includes every new |
| fraud. One of the best ways to avoid credit card | | | | credit card offer, as well as the statements you |
| fraud is to be careful with your online purchases. | | | | throw out from your current cards. Especially be |
| Many Web sites will store your credit card | | | | sure to shred those checks that credit card |
| information on them, leaving your valuable | | | | companies send you. |
| information out there on the Internet for hackers | | | | 5. Examine Your Credit Report |
| to steal. That makes it important to always | | | | Lastly, take up the credit bureaus' offers to allow |
| decline a Web site that asks to store your | | | | you to examine your credit reports for free. |
| personal information. Sure you may have to | | | | These credit reports allow you to be certain that |
| re-enter your info every time your make a | | | | no one has opened a credit card in your name |
| purchase at a site, but the extra effort is well | | | | without your permission. They also allow you to |
| worth it. | | | | see if you have old credit card accounts open |
| 2. The Verification Code | | | | that you've forgotten about, accounts that are |
| Another good step is to only shop at Internet | | | | best closed before someone steals your identity |
| sites that require you to enter the special | | | | through them. |
| three-digit code on the back of your credit card. | | | | Joshua Shapiro recommends Find Credit Cards to |
| Basically, entering these codes from the back of | | | | find a Chase credit card application that's right for |
| your card prove to the online vendor that you | | | | you. |
| have the actual card in hand, and haven't stolen | | | | |