You know Dasher and Prancer, Comet and Cupid, Scammer and Skimmer, Spoofer and Phisher. But do you recall the most fraudulent charge of them all?

Credit Card Fraud!

Yes, we’ve reached the holiday shopping season; Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, etc. A lot of credit cards are being used on these days, which also means a lot fraud and scams are happening. We tend to bring this topic up around this time frequently because we feel it’s crucial to keep you protected from the scrooges (scammers). As you continue your shopping, it’s important to be aware of how and where you’re using your card.

# 1 rule:

Unless it’s a trustworthy source, never give your credit card information over the phone.

# 2 rule:

Use your credit card online responsibly. Check to make sure the site is reputable. Read the terms and conditions, privacy policy, etc. Sure this looks like a lot of jargon, but it could give insight about what the company intends to do with your personal information.

#3 rule:

You may think, “Well, I’ll just get cash out for my holiday shopping instead of using my card everywhere.” This isn’t a bad idea, but many of us withdraw cash from an ATM. And if you do so, inspect the card slots at ATMs or gas station pumps. Check it for anything unusual: Does the slot move? Is there a broken seal? This type of fraud continues to grow, so it’s important to always check before swiping.

#4 rule:

Check your statements regularly. Use text alerts for your transactions. You’ll be able to see unfamiliar account activity and can even set alerts for certain balance levels. If you have a U1 VISA credit card you can view your statements and make payments through Online Banking. Depending on how much you shop, you could receive a lot of text messages, but better safe than sorry!

If you have questions or concerns about suspected fraudulent activity on your U1 Visa credit or debit card, please call our eCommerce representatives at 800-543-5000 option 0 or 937-431-3100 option 0. If you suspect you’ve become a victim of identity theft or that your information may have been exposed, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s ID theft recovery plan webpage to take action.