I've heard that more CC numbers are stolen through in-person transactions (cashiers making duplicates of the number, or even using a device to clone all the info) than online.
Just this past weekend, my car was broken into (sitting in my driveway, when I was home, but I didn't hear it). The front-passenger window was shattered, and a purse I had under a coat on the passenger's seat was stolen , with my credit cards, checkbook, driver's licence, AARP card.... so things could be worse. :-(
Sorry, I know this is a very old thread, just thought I'd bring a couple of things up in case anyone reads this again. I worked for the second-largest international bank in the world for three years in their credit card division. Far and away, the worst and largest fraud and abuse cases I worked with were from people who had their credit cards (or entire identity) stolen by family members, caretakers, and/or friends in their own homes. Oftentimes the people who committed the crimes got access to the person's actual credit cards, old bills, mail, their Social Security card, etc. They'd get access to papers or cards in unlocked file cabinets, drawers, and so on...and that was that.
Please don't discount people that live with you and/or come into your own home being a major source of risk, including maintenance workers. Over and over again, people known personally by the victims were the culprits of these crimes. I know it's challenging to look at your own house as a place needing to be such a fortress, but your own home can be your weakest link when it comes to identity theft. Yes, credit card fraud and abuse does happen due to external use, but internal theft is incredibly common.
Sadly, one of the biggest identity theft and fraud/abuse problems are with the elderly. Write down ALL of your wishes regarding finances, healthcare, and everything else you can think of, formally. Lock up important papers with your attorney (the best bet) or at least in a safety deposit box or a waterproof, fireproof, heavy combination safe. Mailboxes that lock, where the Postal Service must use a key to put mail in are best, but I realize that's not an option available to everyone. Pick a responsible person to handle your financial affairs in the event of your incapacitation, with logic ruling your choice and not emotion. Be very careful in who you elect as your power of attorney and executor of your will in your old age. Sorry if this sounds overly strong in verbiage, but I have seen so many older people taken advantage of in the business and in my personal life. They will pick a "favorite" child to run their affairs in old age...not their most
responsible child. (Bad idea.) Their life savings and good credit built up over decades can be torn down in a matter of months. Prepare for the worst while you're still as young, clearheaded, and healthy as you can get. If you can afford to do so, prepare your affairs with the help of an attorney. Research what paperwork is needed to handle your affairs should negative events occur (having a stroke, needing to go into a nursing home, being in an accident that leaves you in a coma, etc.), and fill it out now. It's not being negative to do this, it's being practical and prepared. Get it witnessed, signed, notarized as soon as possible- do whatever is needed to protect your financial assets from harm, which also helps protect your heirs. Don't put it off!
