[TrudyM]

I just wanted to ask what do people do to protect their charge cards from fraudulent use?

I just learned that from the company that my chase card does not have an rfid chip. I thought all did and had been keeping it in a metal sleeve in my wallet to protect the card from having the data stolen. (made it from a soda can and duck tape it works great on my enhanced drivers license which does have an rfid) She said Chase decided to not have them as they had become a security risk.

The person from the charge card company suggested I black out the three digit code on the back that you enter for internet transactions so when I give my card to a clerk it can't be copied. She further suggested I create a fake person in my cell phone directory and put the three digits in the number so I could find it when needed. (Ie if the code was 125 then list a person in my phone directory as say United 800-125-5545) Am I late to the party does everyone do this but me?

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

I just wanted to ask what do people do to protect their charge cards from fraudulent use?

I just learned that from the company that my chase card does not have an rfid chip. I thought all did and had been keeping it in a metal sleeve in my wallet to protect the card from having the data stolen. (made it from a soda can and duck tape it works great on my enhanced drivers license which does have an rfid) She said Chase decided to not have them as they had become a security risk.

The person from the charge card company suggested I black out the three digit code on the back that you enter for internet transactions so when I give my card to a clerk it can't be copied. She further suggested I create a fake person in my cell phone directory and put the three digits in the number so I could find it when needed. (Ie if the code was 125 then list a person in my phone directory as say United 800-125-5545) Am I late to the party does everyone do this but me?

Nope it is a good thing to do, I actually have scratched it off (after recording it) for years. When they leave your sight with your card and even if they don't all they need is the card number and the 3 digit code to order online. Chase has alerts that actually will call you after every use if you desire too.
Had a place in California demand the code and said they had to have it but they do not. Needless to say they did not get it.. You can actually put SEE ID on the back instead of signing the card also but very few even ask for ID.

[ylisa7]

Good idea about the 3 digit number. Thanks.

Don't carry multiple cards with you.

Don't use debit cards..once the money is gone it is directly out of your account.

Have an interent card. I have one card with a small limit and it stays that way...it is for my internet charges.

Never let your card out of your site...I had a fraudulent charge after I gave my card to my dental technician while I was in the chair. I will pay on my way out from now on.

Also do not keep your social security card in your wallet and do not give out the number when it is unnecessary...many times it is automatically asked for when it is not needed.

[TrudyM]

I have see id on the back instead of a signature and the chase internet use alert for which they charge $8 a month but worth it.

The idea about having a low limit on one card was a good one. I Called and had the limit lowered on one of our cards as I thought it was a great idea. I will now use that one for internet and gas stations (sometimes when we travel the gas stations we have to use feel a little shady)

Thanks.

[pooh]

I also receive an email from Chase each and every time something is charged to my credit card. That email notification is sent out immediately. It's easy to set up and if someone has used my card, I'll know.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We've got a couple of charge cards with Citi. That organization is all over credit card security like flies in the barnyard!

When we take a vacation/trip, I call them to let them know when we're leaving, where we're going, the states we'll be traveling through, and when we'll be returning. This helps them track fraudulent use of the card.......and helps to ensure they know our card usage should be considered valid given they have the gist of our itinerary. If we DON'T notify them of our vacation/trip ahead of time, it doesn't take long for them to start flagging/denying charge card transactions of ours.

Having to do this each time we head out of town for an extended period of time can get to be a pain........but here's the payoff:

I got a text and a phone call one morning last week, both from the Citi Fruad Dept. Long story short: There had been three suspicious charges against one of our cards within the past hour, all of which they denied. They called to see if they were charges we'd initiated which they were not. Citi immediately cancelled our card and sent us new ones. They said they'd investigate the source of the problem and get in touch if they needed any other info from us.

I commend Citi for being so diligent about monitoring their customers' charge card transactions. Good peace of mind for us!

As an aside, I haven't a clue as to how our credit card number got compromised. We never use our cards in places, such as restaurants, where the card leaves our sight. Could have been a "skimmer" on a gas station's card reader, info could have been pirated from an internet transaction/company............who knows? But the experience of getting the situation resolved from our end was pretty painless and quick.

Bill

[Parker]

Why don't credit card companies put our photos on the cards so everyone can immediately see if the card belongs to the user?

[Cedwards38]

Originally Posted by pooh

I also receive an email from Chase each and every time something is charged to my credit card. That email notification is sent out immediately. It's easy to set up and if someone has used my card, I'll know.

Amex will do that too. I get an email whenever a charge is made without the card being present.

[kbace6]

I don't know if this was answered in this way yet, but if your credit card does not have one of the radio wave logos on, then don't worry about it. If it does, you need to protect it for sure. See the picture link.



http://www.google.com/imgres?q=credi...9,r:0,s:0,i:84

[TrudyM]

[QUOTE=kbace6;661561]I don't know if this was answered in this way yet, but if your credit card does not have one of the radio wave logos on, then don't worry about it. If it does, you need to protect it for sure. See the picture link.



Some cards don't have the wavy lines but may say paypass or quick link on them instead. Some have little radio towers on them just depends on the brand or at least that is what I was told. Consumer protection site says you should call the customer service number on the back of the card and ask if it has an RFID chip. If it does it needs to be kept in an aluminum sleeve. You can make one by cutting up a soda can flattening it out and covering the edges with electric or duck tape. Some of the sleeves you buy that are foil don't work. I tested the one I had bought by putting my entry badge for work in it and it still opened the door so I made one out of a soda can and that blocked the reader. I keep my enhanced drivers license in it and any cards that I have that have a RFID chip.

Ps Passports now have RFID chips in them also.

Just a suggestion.