| Credit card fraud is more prevalent in this day and age | | | | activity. |
| than it ever was. With fraudulent transactions on the | | | | 8. Never leave your credit card receipts lying around |
| rise, it is more important than ever to guard your | | | | especially receipts containing your entire card number. |
| number to minimize crooked activity by unscrupulous | | | | 9. Guard your card number so that others nearby can |
| identity thieves. | | | | not copy or capture the number via cell phone or |
| Here are some tips to preventing credit card fraud: | | | | camera. |
| | | | 10. Maintain a list of all your account numbers along |
| 1. Keep track of your card every time you use it. Make | | | | with their expiration dates in a safe place. Also, include |
| sure that you get it back as soon as possible. Try not | | | | the phone numbers and addresses of each card |
| to allow your card out of sight when possible. | | | | issuer. Update this list regularly every time you get a |
| 2. Be cautious to whom you give you credit card. | | | | new card. |
| Never give out your account number over the | | | | 11. Only carry credit cards that you absolutely need. Do |
| telephone unless you initiate the phone call. Do not give | | | | not carry extra cards that you use once in a while. |
| out your card information to anybody who calls you. | | | | 12. Open credit card bills right away, and ensure there |
| Reputable companies do no call you and ask you for | | | | are no suspicious charges. Treat your bill like you do |
| your card information over the telephone. | | | | your checking account. Reconcile it every month. Save |
| 3. Never answer e-mails that ask you to provide your | | | | your receipts so you can verify them with your |
| credit card number. Never answer e-mails that request | | | | monthly bills. |
| that you visit a website to verify personal and/or card | | | | 13. If you come across charges that you can not |
| information. These websites are most likely "phishing" | | | | verify or you do not recognize, report these charges |
| websites. | | | | right away in writing to the card issuer. |
| 4. Never input your card information on a website that | | | | 14. Always void and shred incorrect receipts. |
| is not secure. Check to see if the "closed padlock" icon | | | | 15. Destroy anything with your card number on it. |
| on the lower right hand side of your browser is | | | | 16. Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Draw a line |
| present. If the padlock is "open," the website is NOT | | | | through the blank spaces of the a receipt where |
| secure. | | | | unscrupulous individuals can falsify the receipt. |
| 5. When you receive your credit cards in the mail, sign | | | | 17. If carbon copies are made with your credit card, be |
| them right away. | | | | sure to ask for the carbon copies so that you can |
| 6. Shred all credit card applications you receive | | | | ensure that they are destroyed right away. |
| preferably with a cross-cut paper shredder. Thieves | | | | 18. Never write your card number where it is highly |
| can go "dumpster diving" for your information and use | | | | visible; i.e. a postcard or such that it can be seen |
| your name and address against you. | | | | through a transparent envelope window. |
| 7. Never write you personal identification number (PIN) | | | | 19. Try to carry your cards in a separate location from |
| on your card. Never have your PIN any place near | | | | your wallet such as a wallet made specifically for |
| your card in the event that your wallet is stolen. Having | | | | credit cards. |
| the PIN in close proximity with your card only invites | | | | 20. Do not lend your credit card to anybody else. |
| criminals to use the nearest ATM and withdraw the | | | | 21. If you move to a new residence, notify your card |
| entire balance of your card in cash for his own criminal | | | | issuers right away of your address change. |