Credit Cards and Identity Theft

Credit card companies recognize the threat that identity theft poses to consumers and do take steps to protect their customers. For example, many credit card companies monitor usage patterns by consumers. If unusual charges appear on the account, the company may temporarily freeze the account and contact the cardholder to see if the charges are legitimate. Examples of unusual charges include charges at vendors outside the geographic region in which you normally use the card or a big-ticket purchase when you normally use the card for smaller purchases. Most companies also offer other credit card fraud protection services, such as issuing virtual numbers for online purchases. Your credit card company's Web site should include a full description of the identity theft protection services it offers.