Credit Card Fraud Alert - Heads up if you "Pay at the Pump!"
July 11, 2008
Questions have been raised regarding the Credit Card Fraud Alert that was sent out earlier today from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office on using the CLEAR button following your gas purchase at the pump. Using a CLEAR button after you purchase of gas at the pump does not protect you from fraud. A properly operating fuel dispenser is designed to complete a transaction when the nozzle is hung up with no further action of the part of the customer.
Dishonest people can use various methods and tools to extract a person’s credit card information from any point of sale. The best defense we as buyers have is to be aware. Make sure you hang up the gas nozzle correctly when you are finished pumping your gas. Review your receipt at the pump for the amount charged, if it is not correct contact the store clerk. Always check your monthly credit card statements to insure them for accuracy and contact your credit company immediately if there is an error.
The Federal Trade Commission also suggests the following to help protect yourself from credit and charge card fraud:
• Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.
• Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment, a business card holder, or another small pouch.
• Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.
• Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.
• Void incorrect receipts.
• Destroy carbons.
• Save receipts to compare with billing statements.
• Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.
• Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.
• Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.
• Don’t lend your card(s) to anyone.
• Don’t leave cards or receipts lying around.
• Do not sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
• Do not write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.
• Do not give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company, check it out with your local consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.
For additional information about identify theft and ways to protect against it visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website on identity theft: http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft
For further information please call Sheriff Robinson at 720-874-4165.
Effective Monday, July 7, 2008, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office will be expanding public business hours to 7:00am through 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. The increase in hours will allow the public greater access to the Sheriff’s Office during the day, and will enable citizens to conduct business at the Sheriff’s Office before, and after, typical work hours.
This increase in public hours is being implemented at no additional cost because many Sheriff’s Office employees will be converting shift schedules to a ten-hour work day. The expanded business hours, and modified shift schedules, will provide enhanced service hours to the public while supporting the efforts of our citizens and employees to conserve fuel and reduce pollution by limiting vehicle trips. The modified shift schedules will also cut employees’ commuter trips by one day per week, resulting in a 20 percent reduction in vehicle trips, per employee per week.
We encourage the community to take advantage of our increased public hours and join the Sheriff’s Office efforts in reducing fuel consumption and pollution in our community.
For additional information, please contact Sheriff Grayson Robinson at 720-874-4165.
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South Metro Denver REALTOR® Association
7899 South Lincoln Court
Littleton, Colorado 80122
Phone: 303-797-3700
Fax: 303-797-0109