I almost became a victim of identity theft.
On the evening of December 23, I got a call from Chase Freedom Visa Card Fraud Protection. They told me someone had tried to spend almost $500 at a Macy’s in California. Since I live in Michigan, they quickly flagged and denied the purchase. Thankfully, I was saved from any trouble.
The call with Chase was quick and easy. They asked me which transactions I wanted to dispute, closed my old account, and assured me I’d receive a new card with a different number within a few days.
A big thanks to Chase Freedom Card for protecting my family and me from this fraudulent attempt. I’m not sure how other credit cards handle such situations since this was a first for me, but Chase set a high bar with their service.
I’ve been a Chase Freedom Visa cardholder since 2009. I initially signed up for a $100 sign-up promotion and the card’s generous 5% cash back rewards program. The sign-up promotion has now increased to $200.
Now, let’s talk about guarding against identity theft. I have no idea how the scammer got my credit card details, but it shows that you must always be cautious, no matter how careful you are. Here are some tips to protect yourself:
– Don’t share your info over the phone. When I got the call from Chase, I hung up and called back the number listed on the back of my card to ensure I was speaking with the legitimate company. Scammers often pose as credit card officials to extract personal information. Always verify the source before sharing any details.
– Regularly check your statements. Go online weekly to review your purchases. If anything seems suspicious, look into it immediately.
– Get a free credit report. Scammers might open accounts in your name without your knowledge. Requesting a free credit report helps you see all accounts under your name and track their activities. If something looks odd, take action right away.
– Keep your computer clean. Regularly scan your computer for viruses or malware. Hackers use these programs to steal information you enter online, even on legitimate sites. I use Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware for regular scans.
– Use common sense. Only enter your credit card or personal info on trusted websites. Even if a deal looks fantastic, ensure the merchant is reputable. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
