Select a topic >
|
|
Protect Yourself From
Phone-Card Fraud The Traveler is its most
Lucrative Victim!
By Larry Benedict
Electronic crime in many
forms has recently swept the globe. Business and
pleasure travelers find it almost impossible to
stay informed of the latest crooked electronic
schemes.
To learn more about the area of Phone-Card fraud
we contacted Kevin Coffey, a 18-year veteran of
one of the nations largest police forces. He had
initiated his department's tourist-crime detail
and has investigated thousands of crimes
committed against travelers. What follows are
some of his comments and suggestions for
travelers who are concerned about phone-card and
other forms of electronic fraud. Coffey:
"It has been estimated that over 90% of
phone card theft occurs at airports, hotels and
train stations. I have personally arrested some
of the thousands of criminals who engage in this
activity, particularly those using the system
known as shoulder surfing."
How can a traveler protect
their pin when using a public phone?
"You must always remain
aware when you are about to use your pin number.
A common practice engaged in by criminals is to
stand on a mezzanine and observe the bank of
phones through binoculars. (This is still
shoulder surfing, peering over an unsuspecting
shoulder, it just happens at a distance). Be
aware of these vantage points and protect
yourself from them.
Phone card fraud is very
seldom prosecuted with the diligence it should
be, police departments must concentrate on
violent crime. It is frustrating to note that
most of this crime is punished as a minor
offense so there is little incentive for the
criminal to abstain from this lucrative
pastime."
Could prepaid calling cards
be a solution?
"These cards certainly
eliminate the risk of large-scale phone-fraud
but are usually too expensive for the consumer
to use on a regular basis. Additionally, most
business travelers are already burdened with too
many cards and pre-paid phone cards would simply
add to the collection." After listening to
Mr. Coffey's useful comments, we went on to
investigate the subject further.
Is something being done by
the phone companies to protect the traveler?
The phone companies have
eliminated the old procedure of canceling a card
outright, which used to immediately render a
cardholder incommunicado. Today they invalidate
only the International calling ability of a
stolen number, leaving its local function
intact. This is definitely a step in the right
direction. Most recent methods of combating
phone-card fraud are based on high Tech
solutions such as computer scanning of abnormal
calling patterns and voice printing; where the
customer must enter a vocal password along with
their pin number. When either of the above tests
detect a discrepancy, the call is routed to a
live operator whose presence usually causes the
criminal to hang up and depart. As our
electronic communications become more
sophisticated, the opportunity for fraud will be
decreased but history has shown that some
enterprising outlaw will always take up the
challenge.
What can I do to protect
myself?
Phone companies will tell
you that the best offense is still a good
defense. Be sure to observe those around you
before you call and don't be shy about covering
the keypad, not doing so can be as foolish as
not locking your car. Be aware of the
opportunity afforded by those mezzanines - some
criminals use video cameras with zoom lenses to
record your numbers from a distance as you type
them in. Memorize your pin so you don't have to
display your card openly. Avoid saying your
number out loud and stay away from open areas
particularly those with crowded banks of phones.
These days, even having your international
calling ability interrupted for a brief period
can be a debilitating experience and an ounce of
precaution will save a pound of annoyance.
[ Back ] |