Credit Card Quick

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!