By Christine McDonald
Many of you may have had a personal experience with identity theft. It’s become far too common these days. My parents’ credit card number has been taken three times over the last couple of years. With all the hassle of having their card number tampered with, then having the bank cancel and re-issue a new card, each step has been a learning experience within itself for the entire family. I want to educated everyone on what we have learned in this process and hopefully bring awareness to Identity Theft and Cyber Crimes.
In a 2015 Identity Fraud Study via the Federal Trade Commission, “Identity fraud victims occur every two seconds and $16 billion was stolen from 12.7 million U.S. consumers in 2014, compared with $18 billion and 13.1 victims the year before.”
Recently while valeting a car at a prominent hospital (not in Tennessee), a young gentleman took my mother’s card for payment. Instead of putting it to the register he held it under the desk station, which was out of our sight. I asked him what he was doing with my mother’s card. Later, via police, we found out that this is a common tactic for scammers, as they may have a card reader hidden out of sight of a customer. They may even distract you with small talk and within seconds your credit card number and your identity has been compromised. By a quick swipe on another machine, your information is put into a data base to be sold. Scary, right?
Now a days a little device can be placed on a card reader to look legitimate. A crook may scam your card a couple times and explain the multiple swipes by acting like your card didn’t swipe correctly. After speaking with the police, I have now learned it is always crucial we keep our receipts and never let the card out of your eye sight. If, at a restaurant, keep receipts with the tip amount. Staying up-to-date with daily bank balances and credit card charges is crucial.
“While most people are vulnerable to identity theft, children and elderly people are the most targeted. Cyber hacks take place on a daily bases,” informs the Federal Trade Commission. Most banks will reimburse you for the wrong charges, but it is a true hassle. It’s important for you to stay on top of our own bank and credit card balances via computer and/or phone. Always keep an eye on your credit cards when being swiped, because sadly you never know.
We’ve now learned it only takes a moment with your card out of sight to be swiped. After speaking with police about my mother’s credit card, I learned that scammers often operate in groups. The insiders sell the credit card information from a data base they have now accumulated. “Most of these individuals work for financial, medical, or even educational facilities,” states the Federal Trade Commission. These institutions store more personal information and it is easy for them to then sell off confidential information which can be very lucrative.
After this experience my mother’s card was canceled immediately and a new card was reissued. If ever you feel something wasn’t handled properly go ahead and take the necessary actions needed. Stay ahead and on top of your financial well being.
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