| The next time you go shopping and use your credit card, watch the clerk and see if he or she really takes a good look at your card or your signature. You may be surprised at how few clerks take these very simple measures to prevent credit card fraud. Is this because they don't want to offend customers? If you work in retail and have any ideas about why this happens, please send us an e-mail and let us know.
What can you do in your store to reduce your losses from credit card fraud?
| CARDS |
CUSTOMERS |
POLICIES |
- Check the signature strip for signs of tampering.
- Check the start and expiry dates on the card.
- Check the name on the card and compare it to the customer. Is a man using a card in a woman's name, or does the ethnicity of the name not seem to match the customer?
- Check the numbers on the card for signs of alteration.
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- Look for customers who seem tense and act like they are likely to cause a problem when asked for an ID. They may be acting in such a way to prevent you from asking for an ID and questioning the authenticity of their signature.
- Watch out if a customer cannot produce ID. How many people leave the house with a credit card but no other ID?
- Likewise, look out for the customer who pulls a credit card out of a pocket or loose from a purse. Most legitimate customers keep credit cards in wallets.
- Be alert to the customer who hands you their card then walks away. They may be trying to avoid having to produce ID.
- Be suspicious of customers who request delivery or rush service. People who use stolen credit cards aren't concerned with costs. On the other hand, watch out for customers who want to leave right away with goods that are ordinarily delivered (such as furniture and large appliances).
- Be suspicious of anyone who is buying a number of the most expensive goods of one kind, such as three VCRs or TVs at once. A customer using a stolen credit card could resell these on the second-hand market.
- For the same reason, be suspicious of anyone who isn't concerned with guarantees, return policies, etc. They may be planning to sell the goods on the street rather than keep them for their own use.
- Also be suspicious of customers who select goods quickly, without thought or care.
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- Always, always, check signatures carefully.
- Be extra careful when it is busy. Credit card fraudsters often make purchases when clerks are rushed.
- Watch the customer sign.
- Make these checks obvious to the customer.
- Telephone for authorization (if you don't already have a machine that does this).
- Vary authorization levels frequently.
- Refer to a list of lost or stolen cards (if you have one).
- Check supporting ID (such as a driver's license).
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