North Carolina ad
campaign focuses
on credit card fraud; New Resource Center
helps
consumers avoid fraud and ID theft
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2004 /U.S.
Newswire/ -- A Greensboro area advertising campaign aims to raise
awareness about the threat consumers face from credit card fraud and
steps the financial services industry is taking to protect them from it.
Fraud occurs when there is
unauthorized use of a credit card. It can lead to identity theft, which
takes place when a criminal steals a victim's personal information, such
as Social Security number, credit card numbers or date of birth, and
uses it to apply for credit and make purchases in the victim's name. In
2002, North Carolina ranked 21st in the nation in per capita identity
theft victims. (note 1)
The advertising campaign is part of a
larger effort sponsored by Your Credit Card Companies, a partnership of
major financial services companies including Capital One(r), Chase
Manhattan Bank USA, N.A.(r), Citigroup(r), Discover Card(r),
MasterCard(r) and MBNA(r).
The companies joined together to serve
as a resource center on virtually all aspects of personal finance and
consumer credit. The group's Web site is designed to offer a one-stop
source of information on credit education, credit reports and scores,
identity theft and fraud, and financial tools for students and teachers.
The Internet address is http://www.YourCreditCardCompanies.com.
The television ad shows a kindly
grandfather who chuckles while telling viewers about a call he received
from his credit card company. "They wanted to know if I charged two
surfboards in Laguna Beach," the grandfather says. The ad focuses
on what some credit card companies are doing to detect and prevent
fraud.
Your Credit Card Companies is also
encouraging consumers to take steps to protect themselves from fraud and
identity thieves. A print advertisement running in several national
magazines offers precautions consumers can take to safeguard their
financial information. The group's Web site includes simple prevention
tips that help consumers avoid falling victim to these crimes.
Your Credit Card Companies is a group
of financial services companies with a shared commitment to value and
quality service for consumers. Through its Web site and other consumer
information initiatives, Your Credit Card Companies provides credit
resources and a variety of tools that help consumers better understand
how credit works, understand and protect their total credit picture and
manage debt. Its membership includes Capital One, Chase Manhattan Bank
USA, N.A., Citigroup, Discover Card, MasterCard and MBNA.
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