The University of Texas at San Antonio
Police Department | Crime Prevention Division
210.458.4242 | 210.877.0046 | 210.458.6199
Credit Card Security Precautions
The fraudulent use of credit cards is not limited to the loss or theft of actual credit cards. A capable criminal only
needs to know your credit card number to fraudulently make numerous charges, including cash withdrawals, against
your account. The following are a number of crime prevention tips or recommendations to guard against the illegal
use of credit cards.
• Photocopy both the front and back of all your credit cards and keep the copies in a safe and secure location.
This will enable you to cancel your credit card as soon as possible if it is lost or stolen.
• Endorse all credit cards as soon as they arrive.
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It is advisable not to carry credit cards in your wallet or purse. Carry them separately if possible.
• Carry only the minimum number of credit cards actually needed and never leave them unattended.
• When you write a check, never allow the salesperson to write down your credit card number on the check.
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If paying by credit card, never let the salesperson write down your driver’s license or social security
number.
• Avoid signing a blank receipt, whenever possible. Draw a line through blank spaces above the total when
you sign card receipts.
• Unless you are absolutely confident you are dealing with a reputable company, never give your credit card
account number over the telephone. Don’t be fooled by a scam where a con artist wants to verify your
credit card number because you won a prize. One current scam involves con artists who call at random. The
thief informs the victim that if their VISA card begins with the number four, the victim wins a prize.
However, all VISA cards begin with the number four, and all MASTERCARDS begin with the number
five. The only prize the cardholder gets is the fraudulent use of their credit card.
• Notify credit card companies in advance of a change in address.
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