Mineola, NY - With the busiest shopping season just around the corner, Nassau County's Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) has launched a countywide campaign designed to protect consumers against credit card fraud.

The "Consumer Safety is in the Cards" campaign, urges shoppers to take extra care when using their credit cards during the holiday season. Merchants are being asked to make sure they check signatures to ensure that the signature on the card matches the signature on the sales slip when accepting credits cards.

"Nationwide, the cost of credit card theft and fraud is well into the billions of dollars each year," said Jacobs. "With busy holiday shopping it's easy to become distracted and careless and perhaps even misplace your card. Consumers must remain focused on where they are, what they're doing, and others around them."

The "Consumer Safety is in the Card" campaign offers these suggestions for credit cardholders:

• Sign your new card as soon as it arrives. Signature verification is one of the best weapons against fraud. If a criminal signs your card in his or her own handwriting, he will have no trouble using it.
• If you believe your card was lost or stolen, or you have charges that you did not make, contact your credit card company and the police immediately. The faster the reporting, the better chance for credit card companies and the police to prevent any more charges and apprehend the thief.
• When using your card, watch to be sure that extra imprints of your card are not being made. Making another imprint of the card and filling information in later is a common occurrence.
• When a merchant returns a card to you, make sure that it is your card. Mistakes can happen and cards can get switched. The person who gets your card may not be as honest as you.
• Avoid signing blank charge receipts. Always insist that the exact amount be entered on the receipt before you sign. Always sign with an ink pen.
• Only carry the cards when you know you're going to need them; otherwise, keep them stored in a secure place.
• Never leave your wallet or purse unattended. It only takes a few seconds for someone to take them.

In addition, Jacobs reminds consumers that they are not required to include a phone number or address on a credit card receipt. Consumers cannot be required to make a "minimum purchase" in order to use your credit card or be charged an extra fee just for using a major credit card. When paying by check, you cannot be asked to write your credit card number on your personal check.

"Shoppers should be aware that it is against the law in New York to record personal information in connection with a credit card transaction, to add surcharges and to record credit card numbers on a check," Jacobs said. "Know your rights as a consumer."