Oakland Police Offer Tips for Avoiding Credit Fraud

Following numerous complaints of credit fraud received in recent months by borough police, one of which on July 11 resulted in the arrest of a 14-year-old borough boy who allegedly used stolen information to make $900 in online purchases, police are offering a few tips to secure credit accounts.

Oakland Det. Bart Pagerie, who investigated the alleged fraud and took the teen into custody, noted that with the explosion of electronic payments over the last decade, credit fraud has become a “relatively regular complaint to law enforcement agencies nationwide.”

He offered Patch a few tips to prevent becoming victimized by fraud:

·      Use a secure website when making online purchases.  Most reputable internet sales sites include information referencing safe and secure sales protection.  A careful examination of a website and its purchasing protection policies should be clearly displayed and contained within the site itself.  Give yourself a little extra time to research the site and reported protection before actually making the purchase and entering your personal and credit card information.

·      Check with your individual credit card company or banking institution regarding what protections you have by being a customer.

·      Keep your account information secure, don’t share it with others.

·      PayPal accounts are commonly attached to credit card accounts.  Keep your passwords and other private information in a safe place.

·      Print and save any documentation regarding purchases, including invoices and receipts.

·      When using credit cards in person, don’t let the card out of your sight.  Monitor the salesperson closely and report anything suspicious to his/her supervisor immediately.

·      Electronic devices known as credit card “skimmers” are known to exist and are utilized in several different manners; all of which are designed to steal your valuable credit card information.