This latest scam story was submitted by Jim G.:

I check my credit card account online on a regular basis. It’s a good thing I do. I noticed a fairly large increase in my balance. Reviewing the individual transactions, I found a substantial charge for an airline ticket to Houston, TX on Continental Airlines. Since I had never been to Houston, the details of the transaction showed the card was not presented at the counter but keyed into a ticket machine at SeaTac airport.

Apparently, this is a common, preferred practice at the airlines to save money. They add a surcharge to the price if you want a counter serviced ticket. My credit card bank said the airlines never verify these transactions, preferring to refund verified disputed charges as a cost of doing business. Lucky for me, I was able to verify being at a doctor’s office on the day in question. I had to put a hold on the account and had the bank mail out a new, different, credit card. This deprived me of use of my account for 10 days, and caused problems due to automatic scheduled debits being refused.

As the victim, I had to prove I was not stealing from the airlines.

Checking your credit card statements should be part of every consumer's monthly routine, if not weekly!

With consumers using credit cards at nearly every business establishment these days, your credit card number is at a higher risk than ever of being stolen. Staying on top of your montly statements allows you to catch any fraudulent activity in time to report it and get your money back. Credit card companies are usually very good about reversing fraudulent charges, but you must notify them as soon as possible.

If you are late in reporting the loss, or were not aware of the unauthorized use until your next statement arrives, your liability is limited to $50 per card by federal law. However, it may be much more difficult to protect your rights if you fail to report the loss of the card or the unauthorized charges on your statement in a timely manner.

Thanks Jim G. for this consumer scam tip!