Mark Hauser day job is acting, but his side gig is as a fraud expert for a major credit card company. A fraud investigator, bailiff, and police officer are just a few of the many roles he has played in his acting career. Mark Hauser cautions that people who travel frequently or who use their credit cards frequently while away from home are prime targets for thieves. Mark Hauser warns that there are more fraudulent transactions around the holidays, partly because more people are out and about shopping and partly because people spend more money during the holidays than they do the rest of the year.

The first line of defense against fraudulent charges on your credit card is a thorough monthly review of your statement. Call your credit card provider immediately if you see anything unusual on your statement, such as a transaction you didn’t make or one that appears to have been made on your account by someone else. If you find a large sum of money missing from your account, you should report it to the authorities immediately.

Only reveal your credit card number to yourself after you’ve verified your identity. Exercise caution before handing over your credit card number over the phone or online. These are the peak hours for credit card fraud. Credit card information is easily stolen if an observer is present. Don’t sign a blank receipt, and try to leave the store with it. This is a new kind of fraud scheme. Never leave your wallet or pocketbook unsecured, particularly in a noisy public setting where a thief may easily make off with it. Keep an eye on your accounts and ensure no unauthorized purchases have occurred. If a merchant made a mistake charging your card, you might typically get it repaired by calling customer care and disputing the transaction.

Learn more about Mark Hauser: https://www.markhauser.com/