| Credit cards are now a leading, trusted method of | | | | place or commit it to memory in case your card goes |
| payment for purchasers and stores alike. In addition to | | | | missing. |
| being a convenient and cashless payment option, a | | | | 16. Call your bank or credit card company instantly if |
| credit card provides a means of borrowing over the | | | | you are ever unable to locate your card or you |
| short-term. However, with the rise in credit card use | | | | suspect a fraudulent exchange has been made. |
| has come a corresponding increase in the occurrence | | | | 17. Don't use giveaway numbers for your PIN like a |
| of credit card fraud. The following are some tips that | | | | birthdate or a street number. |
| should assist you in keeping your card safe from | | | | 18. Use ATMs found in busy, lighted areas or within |
| misuse. | | | | bank premises. |
| 1. Take a look at your credit card statements on a | | | | 19. Don't ever walk away from a teller machine with |
| frequent basis. Question any purchases that you don't | | | | money in your hand. Always put money in your wallet |
| recall making. | | | | or purse before turning to leave the machine. |
| 2. Never save your card info on a retailer site. | | | | 20. Always keep your anti-viral software current and |
| 3. Never let your card out of your sight, especially in | | | | do regular security checks of your computer. |
| restaurants. | | | | 21. Use a firewall to stop sociopaths from getting |
| 4. Use websites with payment-verfication mechanisms. | | | | access to your home system. If you're a Windows |
| It's becoming increasingly common for MasterCard and | | | | user, turn on the Microsoft standard firewall at the |
| Visa to install payment authorization passwords into | | | | minimum. |
| merchant processes as an added layer of security. | | | | 22. Use PayPal as a trustworthy third-party means of |
| 5. Be sure to sign your cards so that merchants have | | | | paying to shield your card info from sellers. |
| a signature to check against. (You'd be surprised what | | | | 23. Make sure never to reveal more info than you |
| a large number of people don't.) | | | | have to to make an order. Keep checking and savings |
| 6. Guard your PIN (private identification no.) cautiously | | | | account details to yourself. |
| by shielding your hand when entering the number into | | | | 24. When using auction sites like eBay, check out |
| keypads. | | | | sellers' feedback ratings and only deal with those with |
| 7. Think up different PINs for different cards. | | | | excellent scores. |
| 8. Compare credit cards to find out what sort of fraud | | | | 25. Don't keep your money and credit cards in the |
| liability guarantee is available with each one. A little | | | | same place. That way should you misplace one or |
| credit card comparison in the beginning can pay you | | | | have one lifted, you'll have the other as a backup. |
| back later on should you become a victim of criminals. | | | | 26. Never sign off on a blank authorization form. |
| 9. Shred or burn any invoices or other records with | | | | 27. Only take with you the cards you need for a given |
| your card number on them. | | | | day's purchases. Leave the other ones home. |
| 10. Don't buy from unfamiliar or untrusted websites. | | | | 28. When moving, be sure to tell your card company |
| 11. Try to not use credit cards to buy goods from | | | | as fast as possible and to get all your mail forwarded |
| outside of the developed world. Data is much more | | | | from your old address to your new one for no less |
| likely to be compromised there. | | | | than six months. |
| 12. Never let anyone else use your card when you are | | | | 29. Be sure that your card company has your |
| not around. | | | | up-to-date contact info. |
| 13. Never respond to e-mails enjoining you to confirm | | | | 30. Close any card accounts that you don't use |
| your card number or other card info. | | | | anymore. Once you're finished using them they're |
| 14. Never reveal your credit card info to unsolicited | | | | nothing more than liabilities. |
| telephone callers alleging to be from a bank or a | | | | Visit the author's most-recommended site for credit |
| retailer. | | | | card comparison to find the best credit cards. |
| 15. Keep a copy of your card number in a secure | | | | |