Recent headlines proclaimed news that a ring of criminals bilked restaurant customers of at least a million dollars in a sophisticated fraud scheme. Unlike similar identity theft crimes, the targets were not the unsuspecting, elderly whose naïveté make them vulnerable, but members of the upper echelon of society, those often regarded by the average Joe as somewhat untouchable.

The culprits operated out of posh New York City restaurants, and, using handheld skimmers, were able to steal credit card information from clientele who carry the country’s most prestigious and most exclusive credit cards such as the American Express Centurion Card®. The information was then transferred to a computer and used to create bogus credit cards, which were eventually used to purchase high-end, luxury items that the criminals sold on eBay®.

Reactions to the story have ranged from the cavalier indifference of the younger set who tend to believe in their invulnerability to the fear-filled questions of those who are both less comfortable and less familiar with the technology of our computer age. “If those wealthy enough to own cards such as the Centurion Card (commonly referred to as ‘The Black’ card, which is a ‘By Invitation Only’ card with an initial fee of $5000 and an annual fee of $2500 just to posses), don’t know enough to avoid being scammed, then how will I ever be safe?” is a thought many have had.

With credit cards, as with life, there are no sure-fire guarantees, but whether you are part of the jet set or are working hard to make ends meet on a monthly basis, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from credit card identity theft.

• Keep a hard copy of all credit card information
• Use credit cards, not cash or debit cards
• Limit the number of credit cards you carry
• Use only one credit card for making online purchases
• When making purchases with a credit card, never let the card leave your sight
• Inspect ATM’s, gas pumps, and other machines designed to scan your card before completing a transaction

Protecting yourself starts with keeping a hard copy record (this is not a file you want saved on your computer) of all the credit cards you own, their account numbers, expiration dates, and the customer service number to call in case the card is ever lost or stolen.

Actually, using a major credit card such as VISA®, MasterCard®, or Discover® for purchases is itself a protection. If you are carrying cash and have your wallet stolen, the cash is gone. Period. However, when you report your card as lost or stolen, most credit card companies have liability limits, often as low as $50.

Your purchases, made with a credit card, are protected as well. If you go on a shopping spree, leave your purchases in your vehicle overnight, and a thief breaks in and steals your merchandise, most credit card companies will cover that. Again, if you pay in cash, well, maybe you could work something out with your homeowner’s insurance policy if the deductible isn’t too high and if you’re not afraid of premium increases due to a claim.

Because of the liability limits set by most major credit card issuers, using a credit card for purchases, including dining out, is much safer than carrying a debit card. Debit cards are generally linked directly to a bank account. Once a criminal has debit card information, that information is generally used to immediately empty the account to which the debit card is linked. Although there are now federal laws in place that give consumers some amount of protection in the case of fraudulent electronic withdrawals, there are many stipulations, especially in relation to the time in which the theft of a card was reported, and hundreds of stories of individuals battling their bank for months if not years to get stolen funds reimbursed.

Limiting the number of credit cards you carry with you to one or two is another wise move. This protects you both if your wallet or purse is physically stolen, but it also protects you from having information stolen electronically. As technology has advanced, many credit cards carry Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that allows customers to pay for their purchases without ever letting go of their credit card by simply holding the card close to the point of sale reader. Visa’s payWave® and MasterCard’s PayPass® are examples of this technology. Just as the RFID imbedded in the cards can allow for contactless purchase, a thief with a reader can also steal that information without ever having to physically touch your credit card. Although this theft would be a little more difficult to achieve because the criminal would need to be 1 to 4 inches away from your card, the best protection is to limit the number of cards you carry and therefore the amount of information that could be stolen.

In like manner, limit your susceptibility to having credit card information stolen when making purchases online by using only one credit card for online shopping. In fact, some people not only limit their online shopping to one card, but also limit that card to being used exclusively for their online shopping and nothing else. Of course, when making purchases online it is best to shop only at well-known, reputable merchants, be sure the transaction is completed through a secure website, (the web address should begin with https://) or to consider using a third party, such as PayPal, to complete transactions with companies other than recognized major stores.

Whether grocery stores, gas stations, or your favorite fashion outlet, many retailers now have card scanners that allow the consumer to swipe their own card. Never having your credit card leave your hand, or at least your site, is the best way of protecting yourself. Portable credit card scanners, like those used by the culprits in the NYC restaurant scam, are available to anyone for less than $100. Holding onto your card is your best guarantee against similar theft. Of course, we all dine at restaurants where the friendly wait staff kindly inform us the when we are ready, they will be our cashier. Take the initiative to protect yourself by letting them know you would prefer to take the invoice to the cash register yourself. Remember, the customer is king, and if there is a problem, a quick, friendly chat with the manager will result in your card staying in your possession.

Even if you aren’t a computer whiz, you have a responsibility to educate yourself. Use the internet to become aware of what scanners or skimmers used by crooks look like. Also research images of pin-hole cameras used with skimmers on ATM’s. Get in the habit of visually inspecting machines you are intending using with your credit or debit cards, especially if that machine, such as an ATM or a gas pump, is outside, accessible, and not in full vision of an employee the entire time it is accessible to the public. If anything looks suspicious, don’t use the machine, and report your concerns to the bank or business. They would much rather deal with a false alarm than learn too late that their customers became unwitting victims.

In this age of computers and seemingly daily leaps forward in technology, protecting yourself and ensuring the safety of your family, including protection from credit card/identity theft, comes down to the same things as it did in the years and decades before television was invented and credit cards heard of: preparation; clear, logical thinking; being aware of surroundings; and personal resourcefulness.

Many people have a general idea of what to do if their credit card is stolen.  However, most people don’t realize that there is more to do when their card is taken.  It is important to have a good understanding of these steps so that you are prepared if this ever happens to you.

1. Be aware.  It is absolutely vital that you are aware of where your credit card is at all times.  Put it in the same place in your wallet after you use it and check that place often.  Being aware will help cut down the amount of time a thief has to use your card.

2. Call the credit card company immediately.  Federal law states that your maximum liability for unauthorized charges is $50.  If you call the credit card company before your card is used, you cannot be held responsible for any unauthorized charges.  If your cards are used before you report them missing, you can only be held accountable for $50 of their purchases.

3. Call the credit bureaus.  This is an absolutely necessary step.  Many people don’t think about calling each credit bureau after their card is stolen.  You have three bureaus to call: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.  They will put a hold on your credit once the theft is reported.  This hold will help you clear any unauthorized charges much easier.

4. Law enforcement.  You should call the police as well.  Let them know all the details surrounding your loss.  If you can, get a statement in writing from them just in case.

5. Check and re-check.  You will need to double check your monthly statements carefully now.  If you notice an unauthorized charge, call your credit card company and make them aware of the situation.  You will also need to send them a detailed letter explaining your dispute so they have it in writing.  It is always best to send them documentation in writing, so that there can’t be any misunderstandings.  You will also want to carefully review your credit report for at least a year.  You won’t want anything creeping onto your credit report that may damage your credit identity.

Having your credit card stolen is a traumatizing experience.  Try to stay calm and remember these important steps.  You’ll want to review every statement, bill, or notice for several months following the loss.  You can help protect yourself from additional losses if you proactively prevent it.

People don’t realize how important it is to protect their identity. Identity theft is just as common as having personal property stolen. You need to protect your identity as much, if not more, than you need to protect your property. Many people don’t take necessary precautions because they don’t quite understand exactly what identity theft is.

Your identity is much more than you might think. It is more than a social security number. It is more than passwords and pin numbers. It is more than your credit card number. Your identity is absolutely everything about you. It is where you went to high school and college. It is your favorite color, song and food. Your identity is the complete sum of every bit of information every recorded about you, and even information not recorded.

You need to understand identity damage, along with identity theft. Identity damage could be anything that is wrong on your credit report. This damage may be small, but it can be costly. The smallest mistake on your credit could mean that you’ve been paying a higher mortgage, car payment, or that you couldn’t get the loan you wanted. Watch your credit report carefully and make sure you report any mistakes immediately.

There are several warning signs that you should watch for when trying to protect your identity. These signs include:

• Your credit card/bank statement doesn’t come

• You know you have good credit, but you are denied for a loan.

• You get a bill from a company you don’t recognize

• A credit collection agency contacts you and you are certain you are not late on any payments.

You need to know and understand these warning signs and be prepared to take necessary precaution measures to protect your identity. Don’t carry your birth certificate, social security card, or passport. Don’t write anything extra on a credit card receipt (phone number, address, etc). Never write your social security number on a check or bank deposit slip. Do not give out personal information over the phone. Shred all important documents or anything with personal information on it.

You can never be too cautious when trying to protect your identity. Your identity is one of the most precious and fragile things you own. Remember, you do own your identity and you need to protect it in any way you can. Make sure you check your credit report at least once a year so you can catch identity theft or identity damage as soon as possible.

Credit cards are fast, easy to use and very convenient. They can be a lifesaver in an emergency too. But, it is also easy to breech the security measures that have been established to protect credit card users. Be careful and take the time to know where you are using your credit card. Make sure the following credit card security mishaps don’t happen to you.

1. Not signing your card. Your credit card comes with a blank strip on the back. Sign this card as soon as you get it. This helps merchants match the signature on your card with the receipt you sign at the store.

2. I.D. You should be required to show identification whenever you use your credit card. If the clerk forgets to ask, make sure you show them anyway. This will remind people to start asking to see I.D. I bet you’d want someone asking for I.D. if it isn’t you using your card.

3. Check your statements. Read over your credit card statement each month. Watch for unauthorized purchases. These can be a sign of either identity theft or a merchant mistake. Make sure you aren’t paying for anything you didn’t receive. You will be able to protect your identity and your finances quicker if you take a little time each month to review your bill.

4. Secure Sites. Whenever you use your credit card to pay a bill online or to buy something via an internet merchant account, make sure you are using a secure website. There are several ways to tell if a site is secure. Check the URL. If the page is secure, the URL will read, https:…-note the extra “s” at the end. Also, check for the lock icon. This icon should be somewhere in the web browser. Internet Explorer tends to show the icon in the lower-left and Mozilla displays it in the lower-right corner. Take the time to check where your browser displays the secure icon.

5. Reports. The three major credit bureaus recommend that you check your credit report every three months. Try to at least check it once a year. Identity theft is common via credit cards. By checking your reports, you will be able to detect identity theft a lot faster.

6. Shred it. Do you ever get credit card offers in the mail? If you don’t want them, shred them. Anyone can fill the application out in your name and get a credit card mailed to their home. Don’t let someone get a credit card in your name just because you were careless with your trash.

7. Call them. If you lose your wallet, call your credit card companies immediately. Be sure your know where your cards are at all times. If they disappear, take action as soon as you realize they are missing.

Credit cards can really save your life, financially. But, they can cause you a lot of grief if you aren’t careful. Be responsible in using your cards and take the time to double check your credit report often.