Scam emails tempt consumers waiting for new credit cards

As consumers wait for new, more secure credit and debit cards based on computer chip technology, scammers are trying to take advantage.

The Federal Trade Commissions say some people have gotten emails, purportedly from their credit card company, seeking personal information to update an account to the new type of card.

Experts advise that unsolicited emails are rare from credit card providers. If you get such a request, call the customer service number on the back of your card.

The new cards, which use a microchip to create a unique code for each use, are more secure than older cards with a magnetic stripe on the back.

They will be delivered in the coming weeks, and consumers should activate and begin using them immediately. The old cards are being phased out and some banks will deny those transactions.

On Oct. 1, the major credit card networks shifted fraud liability to whichever side of the transaction hasn't yet the upgraded to new technology: the bank or the retailer.