Credit Card Fraud | Video

Julie Leonardi | 2/21/2013

The Federal Trade Commission is warning people of a new type of credit card fraud. It’s called cramming. These are unauthorized charges that will automatically appear on your statements, and it`s happening here in Minot.

Just because your credit card is in your wallet, doesn`t mean it`s safe. Marla Gasmann, First Western Bank in Minot, said, "Even though you have your card in your possession, the fraudsters are able to capture that number somehow, create an actual card. Even though you`re in North Dakota, somebody in Arizona can swipe a card that has your number on it. I`ve actually had that happen on my credit card before where I got a $10.99 charge, and it was from Moscow."

These fraudulent charges that end up on your credit card could be as little as $7.99 per charge, but you still need to find out where these charges are coming from, and immediately contact your bank.

"You may look at your statement and say, oh, $7.99, I`m not really sure what that is, but you know what, it`s only $7.99 and next month it comes on and month after that it comes. And now you’re three or four months into it and saying, I don’t know what this $7.99 is!"

Your bank may offer a fraud alert for your account, but what is the best thing you can do if you see these charges? Cancel your card. Then take be careful who you give your card to, and where you shop online.

For those people that may be unsure about online banking, it could actually protect you from being scammed.

"You can go on there and review different scams that might be going on, different fraudulent activity that you need to be aware of."

Fraud can happen to anyone, but you can protect yourself by staying alert and taking precaution.

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