Persons that commit credit card fraud

largely go unpunished and repeatedly victimize consumers and businesses. The Secret Service handles crimes involving the US money supply, they have a limit of $2,000 before investigating each crime. Most credit card criminals know this and keep purchases from any one business below $2,000. With credit card fraud occurring across state lines, criminals often are never prosecuted because the dollar amounts are too low for local law enforcement to pay for extradition.

How To Prevent Credit Card Fraud

• Assign passwords to your accounts

• Avoid using easy to obtain information as passwords or pass codes (like birth date, mother’s maiden name)

• Shred personal documents before throwing out. This includes any credit card solicitations you get in the mail.

• Someone could easily steal these and assume your identity to get a new card. Do not give out personal information to an unsolicited source.

• Do not carry your social security card or birth certificate.

• Be safe with what information you store on your computer. Online hackers can access offline content.

• Monitor your credit reports with all three major bureaus on a regular basis and report anything suspicious.