Effective Credit Card Fraud Protection

Credit card fraud is disruptive, unsettling, and can damage your credit without proper action. Contact a Florida credit card fraud lawyer at Sharmin & Sharmin P.A. if credit card fraud impacts your financial well-being. Below, we discuss essential steps to help you effectively protect against credit card fraud.

Watch for Phishing Scams

Cybercriminals are persuasive in their urgent messages pretending to be a bank, credit card company, or other legitimate business. They are master manipulators in retrieving information from unsuspecting individuals through phishing scams, hoping you’ll take the bait. Take note if a business requests you to update your payment information immediately or if a financial institution asks for the following sensitive information:

• Login passwords
• Credit card numbers 
• Social security numbers

You may receive a phone call, email, or text message containing urgent requests to respond immediately. A heightened sense of urgency is an indicator to step back. Call your financial institution or access the business’s website by logging in directly from your browser. Never click on email links that take you to the site. Avoiding phishing scams also plays a significant role in blocking viruses on your computer. 

Protect Against Skimming

Card skimmers are a significant concern for Florida residents and visitors. Card skimmers are devices fitted onto credit card readers at places like gas stations and ATMs that steal your card information. Using a credit card at the pump is always best to prevent immediate access to your bank accounts. Protect against credit card fraud by taking these steps:

• Choose pumps or ATMS that are most visible and closest to the storefront
• Pay inside a store or complete everyday ATM transactions inside the bank
• Steer clear of pumps and their payment systems that look tampered with
• Sign up for credit card alerts and frequently review your credit card statement

Taking a few extra steps goes a long way to preventing fraud through credit card skimming.

Utilize Multiple Credit Cards 

Using one credit card for everyday purchases and another for auto-paying bills is a great way to prevent the headache of credit card fraud. Using and regularly paying off multiple cards can improve your credit as well. 

Use Your Digital Wallet

Making payments from a digital wallet provides encrypted transactions for each purchase. Digital wallet payments protect your information by providing a code specific to each purchase instead of your credit card number. We recommend these payment alternatives to help prevent credit card fraud.

Beware of Fee Requests

Emails, calls, texts, or paper mail requesting fees in return for prize money, investment yields, inheritances, or other financial windfalls is a sure sign that criminals want your credit card information. Never pay upfront for supposed taxes or fees. In addition to losing the payment, your credit card and information can be compromised for further fraud.

Limit Transaction Amounts 

Reduce permissible individual transaction amounts or daily spending limits to prevent significant fraudulent purchases. Limiting transaction amounts is a great way to protect against fraud and save money.

Experienced Guidance in Fighting Florida Credit Card Fraud

Schedule a free consultation to discuss the impact of credit card fraud. Preventing fraud is the ultimate goal. However, millions of individuals experience fraud every day. At Sharmin & Sharmin, P.A., we offer support to victims of credit card fraud through legal action against parties and credit bureaus whose negligence or failure to correct credit reporting inaccuracies impact your financial security.