| It's an inconvenience nobody wants to live | | | | three you think would be best useful for your |
| through: a theft. I can remember a summer's | | | | day to day needs. Keep one card with you for |
| day at the public pool twenty-five years, | | | | regular use, and put the other cards in a |
| where my father used to take us to keep cool | | | | safe place, like a personal safe, for dire |
| in the Florida sun. He had left his wallet | | | | emergencies like a car repair or medical |
| underneath a pile of clothes while we went | | | | payment. As you get new cards, destroy the |
| swimming, only to later find it had been | | | | expired ones immediately. Cut them into |
| stolen. A few weeks later he received a | | | | pieces and distribute them among different |
| credit card statement listing charges the | | | | trash piles. You never know, some thieve |
| thief had made on the card. Thankfully, my | | | | often scour trash looking for intact cards |
| father had reported the theft immediately, | | | | and credit statements to use to their |
| and was therefore not liable for the | | | | advantage!Keep PINs private: Oftentimes, you |
| fraudulent purchases.Twenty-five years ago, | | | | are allow to set a personal identification |
| though, you didn't hear so much about credit | | | | number, or PIN, for a credit card in the |
| card theft and identity theft as you do now. | | | | event you need an emergency infusion of cash |
| While the Internet has expanded commerce | | | | against your credit line. Often, too, we tend |
| horizons, it brings with it greater | | | | to use simple numbers, like a birthday or |
| opportunities for thieves to take advantage | | | | year, Social Security digits, or even 1234. |
| of unsuspecting consumers. If you are just | | | | This is not a good practice to keep. If your |
| starting to establish good credit, it is | | | | entire wallet was to be stolen, a thief might |
| important to be vigilant where protecting | | | | have access to much of your personal |
| your interests is concerned. This doesn't | | | | information, and can deduct a PIN number |
| mean, of course, that you should not apply | | | | based upon what he learns from your |
| for credit cards or never use the ones you | | | | identification.Keeps PINs private. Use a |
| have. Indeed, owning a department store card, | | | | combination you will easily remember, and |
| a gas credit card, and a regular card are | | | | don't write the numbers down where they might |
| stepping stones to creating a health credit | | | | be found. When using an ATM, always make sure |
| rating. This is good to have later in life | | | | the view of the keypad is obscured when you |
| when you are ready to purchase a car, | | | | enter your card information. Crafty thieves |
| computer system, or even a home.You may think | | | | can detect a PIN number with binoculars, so |
| credit card or identity theft may not happen | | | | be careful.Report all thefts immediately: The |
| to you, but recent statistics are astounding. | | | | second you realize your credit card is |
| Nearly nine million people were counted among | | | | missing, call the credit card company and |
| victims of identity fraud in 2006, with a | | | | have it canceled. Check with the |
| good percentage coming from theft of credit | | | | representative, too, to see about their theft |
| card information via the Internet. It is a | | | | and fraud policies. It may also be a good |
| good idea, therefore, to take steps now to | | | | idea to consult with your insurance agent if |
| prevent possible fraud in the future. | | | | you have a homeowner's policy that includes |
| Twenty-five years ago our family's | | | | retribution for credit card theft.Shop |
| inconvenience was minor. These days some | | | | safely: The Internet makes it easy to shop |
| cases of identity theft can take months to | | | | online, but you want to be certain that you |
| undo the damage. Here are a few handy | | | | are purchasing only from trusted vendors. |
| preventative measure to help ensure safe | | | | Check their websites: are the ordering pages |
| credit:Limit number of cards you own: It is a | | | | secure? Is this a brand you know? Do they |
| great temptation to want to apply for every | | | | have a sound return policy and quality |
| card for which you are approved. As you build | | | | customer service? Is there a phone number |
| a strong credit rating, more companies are | | | | available in the event you do not want to |
| going to approach you to sign on with on. At | | | | give your information over the computer? When |
| best, one should have no more than three | | | | you shop online, don't forget to shop the |
| general credit cards. Remember, they aren't | | | | shops as well.With vigilance and care, you |
| baseball cards, there is no need to collect | | | | can take strong steps toward preventing |
| them all!Look for credit cards with the | | | | identity and credit card fraud. |
| lowest interest rating and select the two or | | | | |