MAGNOLIA

CLIPPING SERVICE

(601) 856·0911 I (205) 758-3610

HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

HATTIESBURG, MS

Circulation =26509

DAILY

0511412010
\\lllllllllllllllil \\lllIllIlllIlll~

Onllne search tool

The BBB in a continued ef­
BILLMOAK fort to create a community of
trustworthy bUSinesses, has

Debitcard
launched a new online search
tool to help consumers find
businesses they can trust
fraildis
when doing online research
and shopping.
Powered by Azigo's free,
on the rise
downloadable browser plug­

w:
THE INCREAS­
ING use of debit
cards (rather than
credit cards) and the dramat­
ic increase in debit card
spending, there is also an in­
crease in credit card fraud.
Banks across the country are
raiSing concerns about the
rise in fraud attempts relating
to debit cards.
Thieves are creating coun­
terfeit ATM or debit cards by
stealing PINs and other ac­
count data using a technique
known as skimming. This is
accomplished by setting up
equipment that captures
magnetic stripe and keypad
information when PINs are
used at ATM machines, gas
pumps, restaurants and retail
establishments.
The Bett!:t..Susiness Bureau
serving Mississippi offers
some tips to help protect ac­
count data:
• Don't type your PIN at
the pump. If you use a debit
card at the gas pump, select
the option for it to be
processed as a credit card.
This can provide better pro­
tection from fraud liability
in, the BBB' s Accredited Busi­
ness Locator displays the BBB
Accredited Business seal when
searches for products and
services are made
search engines such as
Google, Yahool and Bing.
Not only does this seal indi­
cate that a business is rep­
utable, but it also offers one­
click access to the BBB report
for that business. The Accred­
ited BUsiness Locator can be
downloaded at
www.ms.bbb.org.
This powerful new tool pro­
vides maximum consumer
protection and minimizes the
risk of online fraud. Con­
sumers rely on the BBB seal
to quickly and easily identify
trustworthy businesses. With
more than $150 billion being
spent online last year, we see
the Accredited Business Loca­
tor as a distinct way to bring
our advice and services direct­
ly to consumers at the point
in time when they need it the
most - before they buy.
Contact the Mississippi
BBB www.ms.bbb.org or at
(800) 987-8280.
Bill Moak is president, Better

since card issuers typically Business Bureau ofMississippi.

have "zero liability" policies.

However, these policies some­
times exclude PIN-based
transactions.
• Stick with ATMs located
at banks. Machines at COD­
venience stores, airports and
isolated locations are easier
targets for attaching skim­
ming devices to gather data.
Generally non-bank locations
have less traffic and no sur­
veillance cameras.
• Monitor your bank ac­
counts closely. Checking
statements online is preferable
instead of waiting fur monthly
statements to arrive in the
mall. Federai law limits your
liabillty for fraudulent debit
card charges to $ 50, but only
if the theft or loss is reported
within two business days of
discovering the problem.
When you have unautho­
rized charges on a credit card,
you won't be out any money
while the disputed charges are
being investigated. However,
when money is stolen from
your bank account, the funds
won't be restored until the
bank finishes an investigation.