Just a couple of quick comments for all those who have a growing concern for this type of trash/fraud...
1) Review bank statements. This can be the make or break on fraudulent charges that hit your account (via debit or check card)
2) Review your credit reports. At least here in the states everyone can get there CR from the big three once a year for free. Again the quicker something is found (and turned in), the less fallout.
3) Review your CC statements. Most CC vendors have built in protection (mandated by fed law) but sometimes they can push some pains towards the consumer by "not looking at your CC statement". But $50 is right on the money (no pun intended).
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/lossalrt.htm
Most of these (if not all) everyone already knows, but I always like to make sure. Tis better to be safe than sorry.
Also some other quick tips/tricks...
For those of you in colleges, request that your student ID be different from the "default". For those that know what I mean, you'll agree whole-heartedly. For those who do not know, please ask where/what that student ID is derived from (or is). This is a major issue, that has come back on a few people I know.
Keep a mental note on signing the back of those CC, debit, check cards... If it is stolen, then you didn't just loose the card... you also lost the valid signature on the back. Some people have one way they sign the back that is different than the way the sign documents, but none the less if someone does a signature check they will look at the back of the card in many cases. I have heard other people suggest that "not signing it at all" or signing "please verify id" (so that the person will ask for additional verification) but that is not up to me to advice anyone to do. Just merely food for thought.
SSL, TLS, and other security protocols are merely to help add additional layers of security that have innate benefits such as confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. Sadly they are not fool proof. SSL is good to stop sniffing attacks, but do nothing to help if either end is or has been compromised.
Debit cards do not have the fed law protection as credit cards do, but some institutions do have safe mechanisms which can protect the user from fraudulent charges. In some cases the institution will not hold the user liable for the fraudulent charges, much like if someone writes bad checks to your account. In instances such as this, the bank/institution will be the point of contact if such fraudulent charges incur. Papers will need to be filled out, authorities will be contacted, but many times charges will be refunded. It is very important to find out just how much protection is available (if any) for debit cards, accounts, etc from your banking institution.
Again, sorry for the needless banter if everyone already knows this stuff. CPF has always aided myself and others with vast amounts of ranging knowledge, so I would just like to return the favor if only for one
.
Sincerely,
Shaman