Authors: Jen Grondahl Lee and Gini Graham Scott
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN:
978-1442267992

While it may not be possible to protect yourself against all fraudsters, the tips and techniques in this book will help to prevent many fraudsters from taking advantage of you as both a consumer and merchant/provider,” Jen Grondahl Lee and Gini Graham Scott write in the introduction of their book, Preventing Credit Card Fraud: A Complete Guide for Everyone from Merchants to Consumers.

At two-hundred-and-fifty pages, this hardbound targets those who want to protect their finances when it involves credit cards or identity. After the authors’ biographies, foreword, and introduction, the book is divided into two parts that total fourteen chapters, ending with notes and an index.

The first section discusses in nine chapters how a consumer or client can protect themselves when it comes to credit cards. Topics cover using the new chip credit cards, guarding financial information, inspecting card offers, phishing, and what the victim should do if scammed. The second part contains five chapters from the merchant or service provider’s point of view related to encouraging cash payments, potentials of fraud, avoiding chargeback frauds, and establishing security with barriers.

Having had our credit cards hacked, we want to be fastidious in protecting our finances and identification. I like how the authors push using cash whenever possible and if you use a credit card, leave a trail of documentation, especially online. Explaining free trial scams, naming phony products, getting your money back, alternatives to using cards, and supplying sample written letters are included. With skimmers, cameras, and flagrant online abuse, we all need to be more careful in how we purchase items, products, or services.
 
Those who do not use credit cards may not be interested in this book; however, they may find some information on how to protect one’s identity. With the book mainly about consumers, the merchants/vendors may wish their section included more.

Lee is a successful Californian bankruptcy attorney who is dedicated to helping individuals and small business owners deal with debt issues and long-term plans for financial stability. An author of over ninety books, Scott is also a consultant, speaker, and seminar leader.

Since the book covers both sides of credit card issues, a consumer may not want to read about the merchant suggestions while the provider may not want to know about fraud from an individual basis. With the amount of book’s content, it could be divided into two separate entities. Since I am aware of credit card protection, I did not glean any new concepts from a consumer’s aspect.

For those who are interested in protecting their credit card information, both as a consumer or vendor, this is a helpful go-to advice book.

Thanks to Bookpleasures and the authors for this book that I freely evaluated.