Did you know someone, somewhere already knows your credit card number. All they need is one or two more tidbits of your personal information. Thats right! They can often use an existing credit card number and your social security number to obtain a new credit card. The main problem for you (other than the charges that are coming your way soon), you will not even be notified that the card was applied for and approved.
Identity theft has reached epidemic proportions! Not only on the net, vendors, employees and those who know that the local dump is easy pickings and many others can use the "we wont charge the original card" approach and you will never know for months.
The first place to stop credit card theft is in the home. Insure you do not keep credit cards laying out in common use areas. Destroy paperwork that has credit card numbers on it after you have recorded any information that you need to retain.
Absolutely, do not give your credit card number out over the phone.
There are many other ways that thieves can get your credit card number. Probably the most common way is the internet. Using spyware to record your keystrokes when accessing bank accounts and paying bills, can be an easy and automated way for thieves to gain all of the information they need.
For now, the best protection is spyware and adware protection software. If you do not have it, get it.
About The Author
Larry Eberhard is the author of many articles of general information topics.
This article may be freely distributed / republished, as long as it contains the authors credits and the precise entirety of the provided article, titled: "Credit Card Burglary".