| nformation on your credit card is not as secure as you | | | | may have unwittingly disclosed information on your |
| might believe. It is possible for anyone to acquire your | | | | credit card to strangers. Unsolicited calls by strangers |
| credit card information simply by hacking into a | | | | asking users for their credit card and social security |
| merchant database, stealing your card, or asking you | | | | numbers are one of the many scams that have |
| for the information it contains. Whilst the first scenario | | | | plagued users. It is therefore important to remember |
| has a lower chance of happening, it is not impossible. If | | | | that you are not obligated to disclose your credit card |
| this happens, credit card companies will notify their | | | | number to anyone over the phone. |
| users and reissue the credit cards to replace those in | | | | Apart from that, when making purchases with your |
| which security has been compromised. | | | | credit card, you should never sign on a blank receipt. |
| On your part, having your card or identity stolen has a | | | | Keep all your receipts to prevent others from obtaining |
| greater effect on you as an individual. If this happens | | | | your credit card number and the expiration date. |
| with you being aware of it, you should report the loss | | | | Usually, these two pieces of information are enough to |
| to your credit card company immediately. In most | | | | allow an online transaction to go through. As for online |
| cases, it has been found that victims of credit card | | | | transactions, always use a private computer to make |
| theft pay no more than $50 for all unauthorized | | | | the transactions rather than on a computer in a cyber |
| purchases charged by the thief. It is also a good idea | | | | cafe. You should also make all card transactions on |
| to always keep a photocopy of both sides of your | | | | your own, even if you are paying for someone else. |
| credit card as well as the contact number of your | | | | Finally, when you are closing your account, it is best to |
| card company in case of emergencies like this. | | | | cut up your card before mailing it back to the credit |
| At time, it may not be easy for you to realize that you | | | | card company. |