Can't Be Too Cautious: Credit Card Care

Generally we find that there are more reported cases of credit card fraud during the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean that it couldn’t happen in the spring, summer, or fall. I compiled a list of what I found to be the top 6 tips to protect your assets and credit.

1. Guard your card: Obvious, but still must be said. No need to travel with multiple cards on you. If you can limit the number of cards they you carry at a time to 2 that puts you at less risk. Also keep wallets and purses close to you to avoid the sticky fingers of a lurking predator.

2. Signing your card: I personally do not sign my card, because I prefer that clerks ask to see ID. However, sometimes the cashier may fail to ask for it. It is perfectly permissible to sign the back of your card “ See ID” if that makes you feel more secure.

3. Don’t be too trusting: So you know when you are out to eat and you get your receipt which has the line for and optional tip. Let’s say you decide to tip in cash. Well, I was once one of those people who would leave that line blank, until a friend shared and experience of how money was stolen from her by an employee that took it upon herself to add a tip. I’ve been writing a zero, crossing it out, and scribbling over it ever since (I know a little extreme but it doesn’t hurt anyone). You also have to be conscious of which of your friends and family member you allow to know your financial information. Your personal /financial information is always safest in your hands.

4. Destroy and discard: SHRED!!! If you don’t have a shredder, you fingers will work perfectly fine. Take the time to rip up anything that may contain financial information. I am especially careful with documents containing two or more personal identifiers. Personal identifiers include but are not limited to name, address, last four digits of your SSN, credit card number (even the last four digits), driver’s license number etc. If a person gets a hold of two or more of these items they can potentially get a hold of your money.

5. Beware of online shopping fraud: Make sure to use secure sites for shopping purposes. If you are trying a site that you are unfamiliar with check website reviews to learn about the experience of other buyers.

6. Review billing statements carefully and regularly: I cannot stress this one enough. We have too much trust in people sometimes. The only way to be sure that someone did not pay themselves in the process of ringing up your transaction is to check statements on a regular basis. Whether it was done inadvertently or intentionally, there is no way to even become aware, if you aren’t checking.