Because so many of us are online purchasers, credit card and ATM users, travelers, and just humans on the planet, I picked this topic.

Nowadays, when your purse or wallet gets stolen, the cash inside may not be the only thing a thief wants to steal. The most valuable items in your wallet are your Social Security number, ATM card, credit cards, bank checks, and any other items containing your personal information.

Additionally, during the course of a busy day, you share this information when making transactions in person, over the telephone and online to buy goods and services. By the way, the fastest growing form is unauthorized access to checking accounts estimated at 2 million people, 70% of those people do banking or pay bills online.

Are you able to say “yes, that’s me,” to many of the above? Me, too. As a matter of fact, more than two years ago when I was passing through Caracas, Venezuela, on my way back from Marguerita Island I bought a fan as a souvenir from the gift shop ($5.00) at the airport. Several months ago (and over two years later) a $6,000 charge appeared on my Mastercard bill for ‘vitamins’ from (you guessed it, Caracas, Venezuela).

When I reported it to the fraud department and it was finally taken off my bill, it turned out there was a money laundering outfit in Caracas they had been watching.

However, the feeling of violation, helplessness, upset, anger—a whole range of feelings--not to mention the time it took to get it taken care of when it was NOT my fault to begin with, to get a new card, to be grilled by the credit card companies, etc…you get the picture, and maybe it’s even happened to you.
I know I’m not alone. It has since happened to be on several occasions so I’ve since gotten protection (insurance) and sleep well at night. I also am now proactive in my own behalf, which we all need to be. What do I do?

 First, I check my Mastercard bill online at least once a week for any suspicious items and when (not if) I find one, I immediately call and challenge it. I will say the credit card companies have been very supportive in helping me, and oft times even suggest not just removing the item (conditionally at first, of course) but canceling my card and having a new one issued. I don’t always want to do that. I have my picture on my card, I know the number by heart and I don’t want the hassle. But I also don’t want the hassle of anyone else knowing my information!

 I only take those cards I will use on any given day with me.

 I take important papers to the post office and hand them to the agent. For example, my passport was up for renewal this year. As you may know in order to renew, you need to send your current passport. I walked it into the post office and handed it to the agent. I’m happy to report I have my new one already, together with the old one as a souvenir.

This is a big topic, impacting all of us. Rest assured I will continue to write about it and provide as much ‘what do I do’ scenarios as I can, together with resources available to all of us.

ROSANNE D'AUSILIO, Ph.D., industrial psychologist, President of Human Technologies Global, known as ‘champion for the human’ authors 3 best sellers, “Wake Up Your Call Center: Humanize Your Interaction Hub,” Customer Service and the Human Experience, and Lay Your Cards on the Table: 52 Ways to Stack Your Personal Deck (includes a 32-card deck of cards), (www.human-technologies.com.) and her ‘tips’ newsletter on How To Kick Your Customer Service Up A Notch at www.HumanTechTips.com

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