Identity theft is a crime that is growing faster than any other type of crime in America today. According to the FTC, one in every ten people will fall victim to identity theft this year. One form of this crime is known as credit card skimming. This is a way for identity thieves to get your credit card information and keep it on a storage device to be utilized later for fraudulent purposes.

An identity theft only has to swipe the card through the skimmer, kind of like when you swipe it through the machine at the local store. It takes a minimal amount of technology and all of the items that are needed to make a skimmer are available at radio shack or the internet. The criminals will utilize the information themselves or sell it to other criminals all over the country, or even the world.

This activity can occur anywhere that you are able to use your credit or debit card. Some examples include ATM’s, gas pumps, retail stores, basically anywhere you can swipe a card. A bar or restaurant is probably the easiest place for skimming to happen because you will hand someone your card and lose sight of it for a period of time.

There are a number of easy steps that one can take to avoid credit card skimming. First, only use your credit or debit card in environments that you are comfortable and familiar with. Be aware of your surroundings.

Use cash more often than credit cards. Look at the machine you are using. If it doesn’t look right don’t take a chance. And most importantly, treat your credit card like gold! Finally, check your accounts on a daily basis.

If you are victim to a fraudulent charge you should let law enforcement know and close up your accounts before the activity gets out of control. It is helpful to law enforcement if the first point of credit card skimming can be found. Such investigations have the capacity to be lengthy and usually involve several states and jurisdictions. The sooner you can catch the fraudulent activity, the better.

Mallory Megan is employed by a debt collection company. Also she writes articles on business and finance, consumer spending and collection agencies.