Preventing Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud?

carefulCredit asks: "I just checked my AMEX balance, and found around $13k in fraudulent charges. Fortunately, AMEX makes it relatively easy to get a new card and the charges revoked, but this is the second time I've had this type of problem. It's clear to me that the steps I've taken to prevent fraud are inadaquate. (reduced number of cards, restricted availability of some funds, increased vigilence in not allowing CC slips to display the full card #, etc). What measures have any of you taken, or can you suggest, to help put a lid on this problem and to help prevent repeats?"

Comments

Drop credit cards

[afidel]

whenever possible. When I realized that by simply including your picture on your credit cards almost 100% of in person theft could be eliminated, and yet visa and mastercard had not mandated them I came to the conclusion that they were not serious about stopping theft. The cost per card can't be more than $2 max, and probably more like 50 cents to add a small picture, yet it is not mandatory. There would still be online and telephone fraud, but those are easier to catch.