Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Avoid Calling Card Fraud

Many people worry about calling card fraud and scam calling cards that change your long distance service or max out your credit card with hidden fees. Rest assured that none of the cards from CallingCards.com will ever play any tricks on you (and since all of our cards are prepaid, you will never face any surprise charges). Here are some tips for avoiding other kinds of calling card fraud:

Look out for "Shoulder Surfing"
Experienced phone card thieves can steal your information by watching from an adjacent payphone while you make your call. If you have to call from a payphone, do your best to cover the keypad with your hand or body. (This is a good idea when you're using an ATM, too - don't let anyone watch you enter your pin.)

Ask for real credentials if someone calls about your card.
Generally, the only time we will contact you by phone is to verify your first purchase (another way we protect you against fraud). If someone calls you and claims to be from the phone company, our calling card company, or any other company and asks for your calling card information, ask for their employee information and then ask to speak to a supervisor. You should never have to give your calling card information to anyone else.

Keep track of your card using our Online Account Management tools.
Unauthorized users can get your calling card information through many forms of theft and fraud, and even from dumpsters (some hotels record it as part of the number dialed, then dispose of it with the rest of the phone reports). If you are careful with your email and account passwords, you should be fine. Just to be safe, log into your calling card account every week to make sure that no unauthorized calls have been made. If you find suspicious charges, be sure to discontinue auto-recharge right away to prevent additional charges.

What if someone has stolen your prepaid calling card?
As with cash and most gift cards, it is your responsibility to safeguard your calling card. If you discover that your card has been compromised, you will be liable for any unauthorized charges, so be sure that auto-recharge isn't on. You may wish to open a new account, change your password and email password, and check your other online accounts, especially if you don't know how your information was stolen.

Remember:
  • Keep your calling card information in a safe place
  • Don't share your calling card information with anyone
  • Change all of your passwords frequently to prevent unauthorized account access
  • Watch all of your accounts for suspicious activity
  • Be careful with all personal information, especially credit information

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