Credit Card Fraud: 23 Fraud Prevention Tips

1. 1.  Keep an eye on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible.
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3. 2.  Try not to let your credit card out of your sight whenever possible. 
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5. 3.  Be very careful to whom you give your credit card.
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7. 4.  Don't give out your account number over the phone unless you initiate the call and you know the company is reputable. Legitimate companies don't call you to ask for a credit card number over the phone.
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9. 5.  Never respond to emails that request you provide your credit card info via email -- and don't ever respond to emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal (and credit card) information. These are called 'phishing' scams. 
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11. 6.  Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site.
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13. 7.  Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them.
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15. 8.  Shred all credit card applications you receive.
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17. 9.  Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or have it anywhere near your credit card (in the event that your wallet gets stolen).
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19. 10. Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.
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21. 11. Shield your credit card number so that others around you can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera.
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23. 12. Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone number and address of each bank that has issued you a credit card. Keep this list updated each time you get a new credit card.
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25. 13. Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need. Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.
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27. 14. Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your checking account -- reconcile it monthly. Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills.
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29. 15. If you find any charges that you don't have a receipt for -- or that you don't recognize -- report these charges promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer.
30. 16. Always void and destroy incorrect receipts.
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32. 17. Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.
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34. 18. Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Carefully draw a line through blank portions of the receipt where additional charges could be fraudulently added.
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36. 19. Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy it immediately.
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38. 20. Never write your credit card account number in a public place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the envelope payment window).
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40. 21. Ideally, it's a good idea to carry your credit cards separately from your wallet -- perhaps in a zippered compartment or a small pouch.
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42. 22. Never lend a credit card to anyone else.
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44. 23. If you move, notify your credit card issuers in advance of your change of address.
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If you suspect credit card fraud:

If your credit cards are lost or stolen, contact the issuer(s) immediately. Most credit card companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with these emergencies -- they are eager to avoid credit card fraud.

According to US law, once you have reported the loss or theft of your credit card, you have no more responsibility for unauthorized charges. Further, your maximum liability under federal US law is $50 per credit card -- and many credit card issuers will even waive that fee for good customers. If you follow all these tips, it will go a long way in protecting you from credit card fraud.

What is “Lock Bumping?”

Although “lock bumping” is not a new technique in the lock-picking world, it is not widely known in the general public. Also known as “key bumping” or “bump keying,” this method of lock-picking can be used to gain unauthorized entry into many of the more common locks that are currently installed on most people’s front doors, back doors and storage rooms. All it takes is a specially cut key (known to locksmiths as a “999” key or bump key) and a lightweight mallet for tapping the key into the lock. Because of the key’s cut (all the notches being cut to their maximum depth of 9), it can be inserted into a lock and then lightly tapped until it momentarily jars all of the tumblers into a position that will allow the security bolt to be turned.

Unfortunately, in 2005, information about this technique began circulating on the Internet and many “how to” articles, videos and even “do it yourself” bump key kits have since appeared online. The availability of this information is just now beginning to generate some serious public concern.

How prevalent is “lock bumping?”

At this point no one knows for sure. Police do not have statistics on this type of forced entry because it is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a lock that has been “bumped” and one that was never locked in the first place. There have been few, if any, cases of burglars actually being caught with lock bumping tools in their possession. Even so, the prevailing wisdom seems to be that now that this information has become so readily available, use of the technique by criminals is bound to increase.

Can you protect yourself from “lock bumping?” Yes, but it normally involves replacing standard locks with higher quality (and sometimes much more expensive) bump-resistant models. Consumers are probably best advised to consult a reputable locksmith or security expert for specific recommendations.

"How Lock-Bumping Works" (this link will take you to the third party site, You Tube, which will show you a two minute video of how lock bumping works.