Credit Card Blog

If you’re good about keeping track of your spending, identity thieves will have a harder time using your credit card information without your knowledge. Of course, big unauthorized charges set off warning bells. But now it seems that identity thieves have a new spending strategy: nickel and diming us to death.

Christopher Null made mention of this trend on Yahoo Tech. He was surprised when his credit card company alerted him to several charges made to his credit card, most fewer than twenty dollars in price. The company suspected fraud, and rightfully so.

Identity thieves have learned that smaller transactions often go unnoticed. But wrong is wrong, no matter the cost. If you suspect that someone has been making small charges to your card without your permission, Null advises canceling your credit card, initiating a charge back, and filing a complaint with the FBI. It’s also a good idea to look over your old credit card statements for other unauthorized charges. A good virus and spyware scanner will pick up intruders who might be gleaning your information from your home computer.

Even the smallest of charges can add up quickly. If you notice suspicious activity on your credit card, act fast. Online banking can make it even easier to monitor your balance, so check into that option if your bank offers it.