Credit Card Activation Scam
Typically a new credit card is mailed to the consumer with a sticker instructing the consumer on a phone number to call in order to activate their new credit card. The requirement of these activation stickers is that the consumer calls directly from their home phone. The legitimate reason for this is because only the legal owner of the card can have access to their home phone number.
Things Have Changed
Though this security measure has been in place so that consumers are protected by calling from their home phone, there are now websites that allow users to place calls and make it look as though they are calling from just about any number. That means a credit card thief can swipe your new card from the mail and call using one of these websites without the credit card company knowing of the fraud.
How to Protect Yourself
The best and only way to protect yourself from falling into this credit card fraud is to monitor your mail closely. When you know you are expecting a new credit card, watch out for it in the mail and ensure that it arrives. When credit cards expire or you call to order a new card, request an approximate deliver time. Many credit card companies and other financial institutions will offer tracking numbers on cards that are being mailed out so that a consumer can know where their card is. Another way to protect yourself is to have your credit cards mailed directly to a post office box, rather than your home address. By being proactive, you can stay a step ahead of credit card thieves and protect your financial identity.