Credit card fraud is nothing new. This type of fraud, where credit card numbers are stolen and used, has been around for a long time. Scammers employ various methods of obtaining credit card numbers, including simple thievery of the card itself to scam telephone calls that aim to convince credit card users to willingly give up their personal financial information. A newer type of credit card fraud, phishing, involves using emails or URL redirects to harvest financial information online.

Considering the sheer number and sophistication of identity and financial fraud schemes, it is becoming more and more imporant to take steps to protect your identity and guard against credit card fraud and other types of financial and identity theft.

Internet fraud and phishing:

Typically, using your credit card to make an online purchase can actually be safer than using it to pay for gas or a meal at a restaurant. If you only use your credit card on secure websites, the risk that you will become a victim of fraud is reduced.

You can tell if an Internet site is secure by looking at the website address displayed by your browser. Secure, encrypted sites will have an 's' following the 'http' in the address (https://) to indicate that any sensitive information you input will be encoded before transmission. A padlock image should also appear in the bottom right of your browser when you have landed on a truly secure page.

The greatest Internet fraud threat arrives via emails that are sent with the intention of stealing credit card information or tricking you into visiting a website and voluntarily providing your financial information. This method of financial fraud is known as phishing, and it is becoming more sophisticated and difficult to identify every day.

Phishers often imitate legitimate financial institutions or other companies to lure web users into giving up passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal and/or financial information. Do not click on links in any email that you receive - no matter how official it looks - that asks for personal or financial information. If you truly do have a problem with your account, you should contact that financial institution directly and ask for further instructions.

If you do receive spam email that you think is deceptive, you can forward the suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission.

Credit card fraud online is a very serious problem. The consequences of stolen credit information can range from a minor nuisance to devastating financial loss. With Internet phishing schemes increasing exponentially, credit card users must learn to take precautions when using their credit cards online.

Being cautious with your financial information, both on and offline, is the only way to be certain it does not fall into the hands of someone with malicious intentions. Use the tips below to protect yourself, and your credit, from credit card fraud.

You should:

1. Sign the back of your credit cards as soon as they arrive, and frequently check your cards to make certain that your signature has not worn off.

2. Keep a copy of your credit card numbers, expiration dates, and contact numbers for your credit card companies. Having access to this information will speed up any fraud claims you may need to make, and will enable you to have new cards issued in the event that yours is lost or stolen.

3. Carry your credit cards in a separate compartment in your wallet or purse, or leave them home unless you expect to need them.

4. Save all credit card receipts and compare them to the charges on your monthly statements. This can be done more frequently if you do online banking.

5. Whenever possible, do not allow merchants to walk away with your credit card. If you are using your card in a restaurant, ask if you can pay at the bar instead of allowing your server to carry your card away from your table.

6. Staple your store receipts to your credit card payment slip as soon as you get home from shopping. Also, carefully look over each credit card slip before leaving the store to make certain the total charged matches the amount on the receipt for your goods.

7. Open your mail from your credit card companies promptly, and immediately report any problems or discrepancies you discover.

8. Insist that any merchants that still use the old carbon payment slips rip up the carbon copies and dispose of them properly.

9. Make checking your credit card details online part of your daily routine.

10. Shred any credit cards you receive in the mail, even the cards that do not have your name on them. Also, shred any paperwork or pre-approved credit offers included with the cards.

See also: Opt out from receiving prescreened offers of credit

You should not:

1. Leave your credit cards or receipts lying around your house or car.

2. Leave blank spaces on payment slips that might allow someone else to add an additional amount to your credit card payment. If you do not wish to leave a tip at a restaurant, draw a line through the tip area on the slip before you sign it.

3. Lend your card to anyone, even to someone you feel comfortable with.

4. Provide your credit card details to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call. Do not believe that your credit card company or bank would ever call you and ask for your card information. Those companies already have your information. Use common sense.

5. Sign a blank receipt or a blank check. Even if you trust the person on the receiving end of your blank receipt, consider what might happen if that person misplaces the slip.

6. Give out your credit card number or other details by email - EVER. If the company is legitimate, they will have a website or a contact number and be willing to give it to you.

7. If you receive an email asking for credit card information, bank account details, or other financial or personal information of any type, even if the email appears to be from a legitimate company, do not respond to it. Instead, visit the company website by searching for it or by typing the address into your browser. Do not follow any links that are included with the email. They may actually direct you to a fake version of a real website.

8. Use your credit cards on websites that do not display the padlock image in the bottom right corner of your browser.

If your card is lost or stolen:

The moment you suspect that your credit card has been lost or stolen, contact your credit card company and let them know. All credit card companies should have 24-hour lines for reporting lost and stolen cards.

Your credit card company will not be upset with you if you locate your card in the pocket of your pants the next day. They would much rather be told of a potential problem than be forced to track down any possibly fraudulent charges later.