Credit Card Quick

Credit Card Convenience Checks: What You Need To Know

Introduction

Some credit card companies relentlessly send some customers convenience checks. Their purpose is two-fold: the credit card company wants to provide their good customers with a convenient way to pay for purchases and get some cash and they also hope to make more money in fees by your having used these checks for a cash advance. While it may seem like a tempting convenience, some customers find the fact that the company is sending these checks an annoyance as well as a security risk. Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop this and to protect yourself. The good news is your security is really not facing tremendous risk, but still, however it is prudent to be careful.

Stop the Madness

If you absolutely do not plan to use these convenience checks and would prefer not to receive them, tell the credit card company. Call the customer service number on the back of your card and make sure they know that you want this to come to an end. You will still receive checks for up to 90 days, as there is a delay between your request and getting your name off the list of customers to send to, but at least you have taken the step to eventually bring this practice of sending checks to your doorstep to a halt.

Security

It can be alarming to know that your credit card company is sending blank checks that could sit in your mailbox for hours while you are out of the house. On the off chance that a thief is around, they might be thinking “Jackpot!” No worries. You generally will not be held liable for fraud on these convenience checks. Thieves will find out that their so-called jackpot really isn’t so. The credit card companies have verification processes in place such as calling the customer and matching signatures, as well as stores who won’t take a check from someone other then the rightful person and demand ID as well as often wanting to see the credit card that corresponds to the check.

The micro-printing on the checks makes it very difficult to duplicate them, therefore, counterfeits will easily be detected. Still, if you have lingering worries, put a stop to the sending of the checks and be sure to shred up the ones that continue to come until the company puts a complete stop to it.

Credit Card Peace of Mind – Tips for Card Security

Card Security

If you have a credit card, you know it will cost you some of your hard-earned money. You don’t want some scammer stealing your information or some thief walking away with your card, leaving you to pay for it.

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you keep your card safe and secure:

Report It Immediately!

In the case that your card does become lost or stolen or you see some suspicious activity on your account, call the credit card company and report it immediately. Do not wait. Your company can not do anything about it if they don’t know about it. Most companies have policies and procedures in place to handle this kind of unfortunate event in your favor. You can be protected and released from taking the financial responsibility of someone else’s wrongdoings, however, there is often a set limit of time for reporting the problem. If you wait, you may have to swallow your pride, as well as the charges.

Always Know Where Your Credit Card Is

If you keep your card in a purse or wallet, know where those things are at all times. If you hide it somewhere in your home, make sure it is a place where no one else can find it. Of course, it never hurts to check these things on a regular basis to ensure that the card is still there. If something does happen to your card, be sure to report it immediately, as mentioned before.

Never let your card out of your sight. It’s a nice gesture to offer to use your card to pay for something a friend or loved one might need, however, don’t hand over the card. Go with them and make the transaction yourself. In some restaurants, you get to swipe your own card or they do it right in front of you. In others, they ring your check to the table and traditionally, you slide your card into that thick little folder and they go make the transaction for you, out of your sight, before returning the card. Know that you have the right to go along with them or to request to pay it yourself. It’s nothing personal (against them, anyway) and the restaurant staff is likely to not only understand, but to accommodate your wishes. After all, it is your credit card and your money.

Pin Numbers

Everyone knows the rule: don’t write the pin number on your card. Well, in this day and age, we carry a lot of credit cards, ATM cards, and debit cards, among others, that require a pin. Memorization of all these numbers can get confusing. However, there are a few tricks to pin numbers that can make this easier for you and can also keep your card secure.

Never choose numbers that would be obvious to those who know you, such as birth dates and addresses. Choose a number that holds some meaning for you; something only you would know, and memorize it. Some credit card companies will automatically issue a pin number. Don’t keep that page with the number on you. It would be too easy for a thief to identify the card that it is associated with.

If you do carry several cards and do not want to memorize a dozen numbers, you can always streamline your pin by using the same one for all of them. However, you must memorize the number and never let those cards out of your sight. If you must write it down somewhere, code it. It sounds funny, but it can work. Put the number into a series of numbers and symbols and letters and memorize which four belong to your pin. That way, only you will know what that code really is. These are good tips, however, ultimately, your best bet is to remember every pin that comes with every card. So keep the number you carry rather minimal.

There are plenty of other ways to keep your credit cards safe. These are just the basic tips to help you be aware and more diligent about your financial security.

How to Protect your Credit Card from Credit Card Thieves

Card Security

On any given day there seems to be a news story or two about credit card thefts and scams. We all know that protecting our credit cards and personal information has become very important, yet few of us really know what we need to do to fully protect ourselves.

What can you do to prevent yourself from becoming yet another credit card theft victim?

1. Never leave your credit cards unattended at any time. Many studies have found that the highest incidences of credit card theft occur at an individual’s place of employment. It is therefore important to not only keep your purse or wallet with you at all times (or locked up), but to also avoid placing your credit card in your desk or other area where others may see it.
2. Immediately report a lost credit card. Most of us would report our card to our credit card company if it were stolen, but not many of us would think to report a lost credit card. The time it takes to search for your misplaced credit card is all the time a credit card thief needs to obtain your credit card information.
3. Always check and double check your monthly credit card statement. Many of us who make multiple purchases on our credit cards on any given month do not take the time to study our credit card statements and the purchases that appear on them – and credit card thieves are counting on it. Did you know that many credit card thieves will make sporadic purchases in the hopes that the credit card holder will not notice the charges?  Remember that next time you receive your monthly credit card statement!
4. Never give your credit card information over the phone unless you initiate the phone call. If you receive a phone call or email from your credit card company asking to verify your personal information, do not give it out! Instead, immediately contact your credit card company to report the communication.
5. Don’t keep the pin number of your credit card in the same place as your credit card. This is simply an invitation for a credit card thief to obtain cash from your credit card!