I.D. theft via charge card fraud has transformed into the single biggest headache for each and every user of the internet shopper. Just last month, my https://Buyssn24.com friend who's a Doctor had her identity stolen and one banking account cleansed!

All this from a fake telephone call from her *supposed* charge card company. She was busy, not thinking until she hung up so it seemed *odd* - and that, in hindsite, she shouldn't have answered the questions asked.

The Obvious thing is this - NEVER EVER GIVE ANYONE information regarding you or your finances, SSN, or DOB, address etc... OVER THE PHONE EVER.

Here is how the fundamental scam works; there are many deveations of course nevertheless the thieves need certain information from you so some things they will ask won't change much.

Phone rings, you answer, scammer says something such as:

"Good morning, I am from Visa One and am checking into a recent transaction on your own credit card. Can you verify the past 4 digits of your SSN for me please?"

Example: - it certainly does catch a LOT of people off guard and they do tell the caller. They do not have ANY idea that it is SUPER easy to acquire ANYONES first 5 SSN digits!! The last four are much harder to acquire!!

If you answer that question; they know they've hit pay-dirt and continue on until they are either done stealing your identity or you have twigged and hang up. It is always one or one other - this is the deciding factor - right then.

When you use your charge card online, make SURE the website you utilize is highly encrypted; if your security warning pops up - don't use that site. All reputable websites make use of this encryption; there is NO reason to not! These sites also reguire the past 3 digits on the back of your card; obviously when someone does not need the card inside their hands, chances are they could never know very well what those 3 digits are...unless you TELL THEM. This is an excellent auto-I.D. theft provention measure.

Also - this really is VERY IMPORTANT - unknown to so many individuals are these 3 FACTS about credit cards and disputing a charge. As the charge card agencies and the law haven't caught up to the internet today (and it relates to phoning in orders as well) - you will find 3 things BY LAW that MUST BE PRESENT for a demand to your charge card to be organized as valid and purchased BY YOU. Old school rules are still the LAW.

#1 - Your signature MUST be on the original purchase receipt!!

Now all of us realize that can't happen with phoning in a purchase or with purchasing anything online; so there you have every right to create a charge back! Charge card companies do NOT obviously want you to learn this!!

#2 - The cashier MUST consider the back of the card and your signature to see if they feel they match; if they doubt they match, they muct ask you for supporting I.D. to ensure you are who owns the charge card presented!

(One the device or internet the card cannot even be swipped

#3 - THE BIG ONE - YOU, yes, YOU should be PRESENT throughout the transaction! It is really laughable isn't it!? This is really #1 on the list!

Rule1: Every sale requires both an authorization and a deposit.

Rule 2: Always note the Authorization Code.

An Authorization Code shows that the cardholder has the credit to fund the purchase. This assures you of payment, so long as --

A valid card was used by the authorized cardholder.

The cardholder (not someone else) has signed a sales draft.

The signature on the sales draft was matched contrary to the signature on the back of the card.

You've proof that the card was present ( a receipt developed by your printer as the consequence of a magnetic stripe read, or an imprint of the card developed by your imprinter). You won't have this for mail-order, telephone-order, etc., increasing the risk.

The transaction isn't disputed later by the cardholder. (If this happens, you will have to fight for your money through the chargeback process.)

Now...there are people who will dispute this; however, nevertheless, it is true. I believe the laws will catch up eventually - but today - still in 2008 - they've not.

For the merchant this can be a raw deal whilst the below from the FTC can never apply:

Ensure that the charge card is from the legitimate cardholder... not merely an individual who knows the card number, or has stolen the particular card Verify signatures (face-to-face transactions) on the card and on the receipt signed by the consumer Take special care with non-magnetic transactions like telephone orders, mail orders or Internet orders. If applicable, utilize the Address Verification System and verify the Security Codes (also known as "Validation Codes") on the card (this prevents many pass-through fees). Obtain a signed receipt from the cardholder and, if applicable, a signed evidence of delivery from the shipper for delivered goods. Protect your merchant ID and terminal ID so nobody submits transactions without your permission.

So - the chance is not only for YOU but also for the merchant as well. MANY people buy something online and have it; then turn around - write their charge card company and tell them -->

A) - They never Ordered the products or service in the first place (Prove I did!)

B) They never Received the products or service (NO shipment tracking and especially difficult with a service)

So...as you can see - this is a really big mess and not just one which will be getting cleaned up anytime soon - if ever.

My small firm - Investigative Resources LLC - and I've caused it to be in this business where men used to reign. I am excellent at what I actually do and honest to the core.