Credit Card Fraud 12-29-25

To prevent credit card fraud, consistently monitor your accounts for suspicious charges, use strong, unique passwords with 2-factor authentication, shop online only on secure (HTTPS) sites, shield your PIN, and be wary of phishing scams asking for personal info. Keep physical cards safe, shred old documents, and report lost/stolen cards immediately to limit liability.  

Online & Digital Security

Secure Websites: Only enter card details on sites with "https://" in the URL and a padlock icon. 

Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Don't make purchases or log into accounts on unsecured public networks. 

Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for each account and a password manager. 

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable it wherever possible for an extra security layer. 

Phishing Awareness: Ignore unsolicited calls, texts, or emails asking for card info; legitimate companies won't do this. 

Physical Card & PIN Safety

Protect Your PIN: Memorize it, cover the keypad when entering, and don't write it down. 

Guard Your Card: Don't let it out of your sight during transactions. 

Secure Storage: Keep cards in a safe place, use RFID-blocking wallets, and cut old cards thoroughly before discarding. 

Monitoring & Alerts

Regularly Check Statements: Review transactions online at least weekly for unrecognized charges. 

Set Up Alerts: Get notifications for transactions, logins, or changes to your account info. 

Check Credit Reports: Review them for unknown accounts or activity. 

Immediate Actions

Report Lost/Stolen Cards: 

Contact your issuer immediately to freeze the account and limit your liability.

Dispute Fraud Quickly: 

Report unauthorized charges right away to benefit from fraud protection laws. 

To avoid credit card fraud in 2025, you should adopt a combination of digital security habits and physical vigilance. 

1. Secure Your Digital Transactions 

Use Digital Wallets: Use services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. These use tokenization, which generates a one-time code for each transaction so the merchant never sees your actual card number.

Opt for Virtual Card Numbers: Some banks and apps allow you to generate a temporary "virtual card" for online shopping. This limits your exposure if a specific retailer experiences a data breach.

Verify Website Security: Only enter payment info on sites starting with https:// (the "s" stands for secure) and look for a padlock icon in the browser's address bar.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Never log into banking apps or make purchases on unsecured public Wi-Fi. Use your cellular data or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) instead. 

2. Enable Real-Time Monitoring 

Set Up Transaction Alerts: Configure your banking app to send a text or push notification for every transaction. This allows you to spot unauthorized charges immediately.

Check Accounts Weekly: Don't wait for your monthly statement. Review your transactions online at least once a week to catch small, "test" charges that scammers often use.

Freeze Your Credit: Place a credit freeze with the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name. 

3. Practice Physical Vigilance 

Watch for Skimmers: Before swiping or inserting your card at gas pumps or ATMs, check for loose or mismatched parts. Use contactless ("tap-to-pay") whenever possible, as it is much harder to skim than a magnetic stripe.

Keep Your Card in Sight: At restaurants or stores, try not to let your card leave your sight. Handing it to someone who takes it to another room increases the risk of it being cloned.

Shred Sensitive Mail: Shred credit card offers and old statements to prevent "dumpster divers" from stealing your information. 

4. Beware of Social Engineering 

Ignore Unsolicited Requests: Your bank will never call, text, or email you asking for your PIN, CVV, or full card number. If you receive a suspicious message, hang up and call the number on the back of your physical card.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Use a password manager to ensure every financial account has a unique, complex password, and always enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). 

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+do+you+avoid+credit+card+fraud

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader