How To Keep Your Credit Cards Safe
How To Keep Your Credit Cards Safe Save Email Print
Posted: 9:08 PM Apr 24, 2008
Last Updated: 9:08 PM Apr 24, 2008
Reporter: Kallie Cart
Email Address: kallie.cart@wsaz.com

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- An illegal spending spree landed a woman from Charleston in jail. Police said Ashley Fouty used a stolen credit card at least 10 different stores.

But you don’t have to be a victim of this too. There are some things you can do to keep your cards protected.

Fouty was caught shopping on someone else's dime, but surveillance photos brought her shopping spree to a halt. Though, not before police say she'd racked up nearly $700 in charges all with the swipe of a stolen credit card no ID required.

Charli Fulton with the Attorney General’s Office said, “Everything is geared toward making credit speedily available rather than making sure this is the right person.”

Fulton also said there are no laws requiring stores to ask for identification, even if you ask them.

Lorrie Smith from Charleston said, “Sometimes if I’m in a hurry and they ask for my ID I’m like well it just takes extra time to get a driver's license out.”

Leah Sparks from Charleston said, “I don't mind at least there's someone out there looking out for me.”

But rather than relying on retailers to watch your back, Fulton said there are things you can do to protect yourself, “Credit card companies will allow you to put a pin on your credit card as well so that if you swipe your card in the store and you have a pin it will not allow the charge until you've put in the pin.”

This would make it virtually impossible for your credit card to be used if it ever gets into the wrong hands.

Fouty was still in prison as of Friday, facing fraud charges. She was also wanted for battery. And in 2004, Fouty admitted to faking a robbery at the subway where she worked

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Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 9, 2009 at 07:29 AM
MasterCard wants to hear about merchants who break their rules. Send the name and address and an account of what happened to MasterCard WorldWide 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577 or call 1-800-300-3069. The merchant's bank will get a stiff letter, ordering it to investigate and bring the offending store into line - or pay a $2,000 fine. You may also report violations online: http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/contactus/merchantviolations.html Visa enforces the same rules as MasterCard. "When we hear about a violation, we ask the bank that signed the merchant to get together with the merchant and see that the practice is stopped," Visa representative states. To report a merchant, send a letter to the bank that that issued your Visa card or call 1-800-VISA-911. American Express also prohibits merchants from asking for IDs. "All a merchant is supposed to do is take an imprint, make sure the signature matches and swipe the card through the terminal, to get authorization."

Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 9, 2009 at 07:23 AM
CREDIT CARD SIGNATURE IS ALL THE ID NEEDED When you pay for merchandise with a Visa card, MasterCard, or American Express any store that accepts these cards should accept yours too, no questions asked. It's part of the deal that merchants agree to when they become participating members. They must check your signature and the card - electronically or by telephone - to be sure it's valid. Once the answer comes up yes, they can go ahead and charge. They can't ask you for any further identification - not a license plate number, Social Security number, proof of address, phone number or photo ID. Your personal ID isn't needed because Visa, MasterCard, and American Express all guarantee payment on cards that have been properly checked. If the issuer mistakenly authorizes a sale on a bad card, it should make good. MasterCard says that merchants receive instant settlement. The contract MasterCard merchants sign specifically prevents them from asking for personal ID.

Posted by: To LeRoy on Apr 26, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I see your point. I think that with the average person carrying an ave. of 7-10 credit cards, the risk of stolen identity goes up immensely. It also takes longer to try to cancel all of those cards. Either way, cash or debit, it is "CASH" in my book, versus credit. Credit cards (not meaning debit cards) are for those who want to be normal and in debt. We have paid off all of our cards, and a vehicle loan in the past year. In a few more months we will be able to scream "debt free". We got tired of paying the piper for stuff we never really needed. We want to be weird and debt free (ok, and we are Dave Ramsey freaks, too).

Posted by: Sokrateez on Apr 25, 2008 at 06:26 PM
"...a Thief is always a Liar!"

Posted by: Edgar on Apr 25, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Brian, actually the cashier is typically follow the obligations of her job. If the manager found out they didn't ask for ID he would be livid. I'm 50 and still get ID'd for corn liquor on the side of Route 119.

Posted by: LeRoy on Apr 25, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Kudos, debit cards don't put you into debt. It just draws from your own bank accounty. Carry cash and lose it to robbery. Lose your card and call the bank before it is used. If it's used illegally you are insured and won't have to pay. Debit card is the way to go.

Posted by: Brian on Apr 25, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Are you the person who sneers at the cashier when she asks you for your ID? If so, think next time. Cashiers are trying to protect you from fraud! I always thank the cashier for checking my ID.

Posted by: Kudos on Apr 25, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Kudos to the arresting of yet another "stupid" criminal. Most places now have excellent security cameras placed to see who is swiping cards and they can be caught. (Of course, only if the police release the pics). Personally, I still think the best way is paying with good old cash. Credit is stupid anyway, it just helps people go further into debt. Don't be normal! Be Weird and be debt free and do a plasectomy on those credit cards! Then you will have financial peace.

Posted by: Rick on Apr 25, 2008 at 04:54 AM
Fouty should get a sentence that requires she serve 20 years before the possibility of parole. Identity thieves are despicable!!! Fouty is a liar and a thief who deserves severe punishment.

Posted by: Bev on Apr 25, 2008 at 04:46 AM
I thought the pin number was just for withdrawing money from an ATM. I think that's a really good idea and I'm going to use it. Thanks WSAZ.COM for keeping us up on these things.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 25, 2008 at 04:09 AM
a great role model

Posted by: Roger on Apr 25, 2008 at 03:47 AM
Fraud crimes will continue to until banks implement KEY and PIN system described on website www.xwave.co.uk which will make signature and PIN systems reliable and foolproof. Fake documents have made our signature system unreliable while skimmers and pin-hole cameras etc. have made PIN system unreliable. We have option to make signatures reliable by personalising them with ID stickers and option to use Card Key Code to make PIN system reliable to make use of stolen and skimmed cards meaningless. By ignoring to exploit this system banks are only letting fraud crimes grow. ID KEY system will eliminate the need for us to protect our personal and card details since fraudsters will be deterred from misusing these stolen details. Proposed ID KEY can be treated as a reliable international ID card because it will personalise signature and PIN number to only the right individuals in any country. We hope that the government and banks will appreciate these details and exp

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