6 Ways to Avoid Credit Card Theft

Credit card theft has become far more complexed than the days of purse snatching and neighborhood breakings. With more skill and technology, thieves only need a minute, sometimes a second, to swipe your credit card data. To save yourself this ordeal, utilize the following tips below:

1. Review your billing statements each month.

Unauthorized charges on your credit card are the first indicator of credit card fraud. If you notice a charge you didn't make, no matter how small, report the charge to your credit card issuer immediately. Your credit card issuer will tell you whether you should close your account to avoid credit card fraud.

2. Be safe with your credit card online.

Don't click on email links from anyone pretending to be your bank, credit card company, or other business who uses your personal information, even if the email looks legitimate. These links are often scams where the scammers want to trick you into entering your login information on their fake website so they can acquire your credit card information, password and so on.Make sure you're cautious when using your credit card online . Only enter your credit card number on secure websites that you can be 100% sure are legitimate. To be sure a website is secure, look for a lock in the lower right corner of your internet browser

3. Shred anything with your credit card number on it.

Rather than toss your credit card billing statements  directly into the trash, shred them to keep dumpster divers from getting their hands on your credit card number. The same thing applies to old credit cards that have expired or been cancelled. You might even put the shredded pieces in different trash bags to prevent clever thieves who can put shredded pages back together.

 4. Don't sign blank credit card receipts.

To avoid credit card fraud, always verify the amount on your credit card receipt before signing it. If you get a credit card receipt that has blank spaces in it, write $0 in those spaces or draw through them before putting your signature on the card. Otherwise, the cashier could write in an amount and send the purchase to your credit card issuer.

 5. Avoid giving out your credit card information.

Only give out your credit card number or other sensitive information on calls you initiate to customer service using the number on the back of your credit card. Don't return calls to a phone number left on your answering machine and don't give your credit card number to anyone who calls you requesting the number. Credit card thieves have been known  to pose as credit card issuers and other businesses to trick you into giving out your credit card number.

6. Get a copy of your Credit Report

Reviewing your credit report on a regular basis helps you to catch signs of identity theft early. It allows you to quickly identify if fake credit card accounts were opened in your name and to monitor the balance on your current accounts to ensure they are correct. Without the knowledge of accounts being opened in your name, your credit score can suffer serious damage due to lack of monthly payments.

Remember, you work hard to acquire your assets and maintain good credit therefore you should do the necessary to protect it. To stay in tune, get a free copy of your credit report from CRIF NM. Ultimately, life is always better with good credit.

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