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