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This is a warning about watching the charges that go onto your credit cards. Notcredit card charges just because of fraud and identity theft, but now, apparently, there are a lot of overcharges that are happening because of simple errors.

 

These overcharges occur most frequently at gas stations and restaurants and even hotels. There are varying reasons given for the differences in charges. Some vendors claim that there are glitches with the processing company that handles the transactions after they pass from the vendor down the line.

 

Be aware that temporary freezes can be put on a card for a specific amount until the actual charge amount goes through. This happens so that credit card companies can protect themselves against insufficient funds on your credit limit. These temporary freeze amounts can sometimes turn into the whole charge.

 

There are two very important tasks that consumers must employ when it comes to protecting themselves against these overcharges.

 

Always Get a Receipt

 

When you make a purchase, always get a receipt and make sure that the amount on the receipt matches the purchase that you completed. If you are denied a receipt, then ask to speak to a manager. There are instances when a receipt printer breaks down or runs out of paper, but those should be remedied by re-printing a receipt after the problem has been fixed.

 

Check the four digits on your receipt to make sure that they match the last four on your credit card. This will insure that your card will have the correct charge. Plus, you can then use this receipt as proof of any errors that occur after you have left the business.

 

Always Check Your Account

 

Log on to your account frequently on your computer to check the charges that are going onto your account. You should perform this check at least once per week. Then, examine your monthly statement when it arrives. If you get your statement via the Internet instead of by U.S. Postal service, print it out. Verify each purchase with a receipt, attach it to the printed statement and file it away for future reference.

 

This is one of the prices that are paid for holding credit cards: you have to be on your guard at all times. Remember that you are looking for several kinds of unauthorized charges on your cards: Fraud or ID theft, overcharges from technical problems, and overcharges from temporary freezes.

 

It doesn’t take much to perform this activity, but you must do it on a regular basis to help protect yourself. The alternative is to open yourself up to fraud and overcharges that will add to an already difficult experience with credit cards.

 



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