| Credit card identity theft is one of the most common | | | | really need out card as we don't plan to make any |
| form of identity theft. Here, an identity thief uses your | | | | purchases. For this instances, bring enough cash that |
| credit card information to gain access to your personal | | | | you will need for the rest of the day. This can also be |
| accounts and make huge purchases without financial | | | | a very good budgeting practice since you are less |
| obligations. When this happens, they can ruin your | | | | likely to make impulsive purchases which can affect |
| credit score you will have a hard time applying for | | | | your budget. |
| mortgages, car loans jobs and even housing rentals. | | | | You should never provide any credit card information |
| One of the most common mistakes that people make | | | | to anyone who contacts you over the phone. These |
| with their credit cards is bring all of their cards and | | | | are common scams which are done by most identity |
| keeping them in one wallet. This significantly increases | | | | theft criminals. They will call you up and pretend that |
| the risk of identity theft since if your wallet or purse is | | | | they are representatives from a legitimate financial |
| stolen, the identity thief can gain access to ALL your | | | | institution and they would ask you to verify your |
| CC accounts and they can use all these to eat at | | | | account with them as they are currently undergoing |
| expensive restaurants, make online purchases, and | | | | system-wide maintenance. Failure to verify your |
| subscribe to various services. Of course, as they are | | | | account can lead to closure of your account or |
| thieves, they will not be financially liable to all the | | | | discontinued service. You have to first verify the |
| purchases that they make. | | | | identity of the caller and ask for a call back number. |
| Whenever possible, bring only one credit card | | | | Once you hang up, search for the customer service |
| whenever you make a purchase. This can significantly | | | | line of the company that was represented and call |
| reduce the risk of identity theft because, as mentioned | | | | them back. |
| above, if you ever lose your wallet or purse, they will | | | | The three digit card at the back of your credit card |
| not have access to all your credit cards. As soon as | | | | should also be protected because once an identity |
| you realize that your purse is stolen where your credit | | | | theft criminal has your CC number, it will be totally |
| card is, immediately call your credit card company and | | | | useless if they don't have the three digit code-also |
| put a freeze on your account so that no purchases | | | | known as the CVC2 code-with them. This three digit |
| will be made following the theft. | | | | code is like a PIN number for your account that will |
| One good practice that is rarely done by most people | | | | ensure that anyone who is making an online purchase |
| is not bringing their credit card. Often, if we only need | | | | with the card is the authorized owner. |
| to visit our friends or when we go to work, we don't | | | | |