Credit Card

It seems as if I have been a victim of credit card fraudulent. Last week, while I was out on a date with Shelly, I accidentally misplaced my credit card. It was a mini size complimentary credit card from Bank of America. It was on my keychain. In all of my excitement of dinner and a movie(The Transporter 2) I fell off my keychain.

Monday, while at Walmart, I searched my keychain for my mini card, but to no avail. So I used my standard size card instead. After realizing that my mini card was gone, I literally panicked. I log on to my account, and I saw two mysterious transcations. Two from Hamptons INN: $454 and $154 on a Saturday and a Sunday night.( Someone ordered very expensive room service) and one from Harry & Jean: $90.(It's a very nice resturant, very expensive too. ) I have reasons to believe that whoever used my card, was probably some college kid and their girlfriend or boyfriend and they decided to have a really nice weekend.

Back to the story.....

Immediately, I called my credit card company, had my account canceled and the charges were marked as fraudulent and they were credited back to my account.

I had to talk to one person before talking a representative from the security department of Bank of America. This guy had a deep voice, with a take charge kind of tone. After talking to him, I feel some relief. I honestly never thought that would happen to me. Complacency got the best of me. Here are some steps to take to protect yourself from credit card fraud or even identity fraud:

(Who am I to give advice about such things)

1. Never accept a mini credit card from your back that fits on your keychain. It's too easy to be lost and used to rake up credit card charges to the nearest Hampton's INN.
2. If possible, have your credit card company or Bank superimpose your photo on your Credit Card or Debit Card.
3. Never give away your Credit Card information via email or any other suspicious looking online medium.
4. When you are in a Public Library and using your cell phone, never give your Social Security Number obviously loud to all.
5. When you lose your Debit or Credit Card, immediately report it missing or stolen. In most cases, your financial institution that issued the card will maintain little or no liability if you report it within 30-60 days.
6. When making a copy of your SSN card, never leave it at the place where you had copied such as a Public Library.( DUH!)
7. When you feel as though you may have been a victim of identity fraud, call your credit bureaus( Equifax, Experian, Transunion) and place a fraudulent alert on your credit card. Think of it as a safety net or preventive measure to lessen future abuses.

Look at me, I'm slowly becoming a "Suze Orman", except I'm not that hyperactive or slightly obnoxious.

Captain Oblivious