What You Need To Know
21 Credit Card Fraud Prevention Tips:
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1. Keep an eye on your credit
card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as
quickly as possible. Try not to let your credit card out of
your sight whenever possible.
2. Be very careful to whom you give your credit
card.Don't give out your account number over the phone
unless you initiate the call and you know the company is
reputable. Never give your credit card info out when you
receive a phone call. (For example, if you're told there has
been a 'computer problem' and the caller needs you to verify
information.) Legitimate companies don't call you to ask for
a credit card number over the phone.
3. Never respond to emails that request you provide your
credit card info via email -- and don't ever respond to
emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal
(and credit card) information. These are called 'phishing'
scams.
4. Never provide your credit card information on a website
that is not a secure site.
5. Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them.
6. Shred all credit card applications you receive.
7. Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or
have it anywhere near your credit card (in the event that
your wallet gets stolen).
8. Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.
9. Shield your credit card number so that others around you
can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera.
10. Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account
numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone number
and address of each bank that has issued you a credit card.
Keep this list updated each time you get a new credit card.
11. Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need.
Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.
12. Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are
no bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your
checking account -- reconcile it monthly. Save your receipts
so you can compare them with your monthly bills.
13. If you find any charges that you don't have a receipt
for -- or that you don't recognize -- report these charges
promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer.
14. Always void and destroy incorrect receipts.
15. Shred anything with your credit card number written on
it.
16. Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Carefully draw a
line through blank portions of the receipt where additional
charges could be fraudulently added.
17. Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is
a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy
it immediately.
18. Never write your credit card account number in a public
place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the
envelope payment window).
19. Ideally, it's a good idea to carry your credit cards
separately from your wallet -- perhaps in a zippered
compartment or a small pouch.
20. Never lend a credit card to anyone else.
21. If you move, notify your credit card issuers in advance
of your change of address.
