Sep06
The Top Five Tips for Protecting yourself from Credit Card Thieves
There are many sneaky routes credit card thieves are taking to steal our credit card numbers and go on a shopping spree. However, there are just as many credit card thieves that are merely looking for a good opportunity. In other words, let your guard down and you can be sure that a credit card thief will be waiting to pounce.
The fact of the matter is that most credit card thefts are crimes of opportunity. This means that, as a consumer, you need to do what you can to not give a credit card thief the opportunity to take your credit card or personal information and run.
Here’s what you need to know:
- When shopping online, stick to trusted sites. If you are unsure about the online company or if you simply don’t know anything about them, it is probably a wise idea to steer clear of purchasing from them.
- Speaking of online shopping, make sure you check and double-check your antivirus and firewall software, as well as the site’s security certification. Remember: all of these things need to be in place in order to be fully protected from online thieves.
- If you do a lot of online shopping, consider devoting just one credit card to your online purchases, thereby making it easier to track your purchases and prevent unauthorized charges from slipping past you.
- Keep your credit card in sight, especially in unknown areas or at unfamiliar retailers. Many thieves will use small devices, called skimmers, to catch your credit card information after you hand over your credit card for a purchase. Beware of a retailer who walks away with your credit card to complete your transaction.
- Don’t just skim over your credit card bills. Instead, take the time to thoroughly check all charges. Many credit card thieves charge multiple, inexpensive items in an effort to go unnoticed, so make sure even the smallest charges on your credit card are accounted for.
