MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC TV) - Credit card fraud, especially during the holidays, can ruin your life.
"You ruined my life. You ruined your life," scolded Hong Fang.
A credit card thief turned the truck business operator's life -- and credit score -- upside down.
"My credit score before was over 800," she said. "After he (stole my card information), the lowest was 200."
Postal inspectors said Fang wasn't the thief's only victim. The suspect stole 25 people's credit card numbers.
"This person would get people's information, and then he would try to open up credit cards by calling the credit card company, saying he was an authorized user, and he needed the card sent to an address," said U.S. Postal Inspector Dominick Riley.
To limit the risk of credit card fraud, never release your card information over the phone unless you have initiated the call.
Check your card statements regularly. Pull your credit report annually from each of the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Due to the potential for card "skimmers," never use your debit card at a gas pump or at a restaurant.
Use only your credit card to make online purchases. That will insure the security of the purchase.
You should also only shop secure sites in which an "s" appears after the "http" in the web address box on the page where you are prompted to type your card information. (https://)
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