There are so many cases of credit card fraud these days that it is vitally important to take the necessary steps to keep you and your finances safe. The following are some tips to help protect from fraud.
1. When you get a credit card in the mail you should call and activate it as soon as possible.
2. Sign the back of the card when you receive it using your regular signature.
3. Write “see ID” or “CID” next to your signature or on the front of the card to encourage retailers to ask for your identification when making purchases. While retailers are supposed to do this, many don’t so this serves as a friendly reminder to them.
4. Sign up for online banking with your credit card account and check it frequently, at least once a week. The more frequently you check the more you know where your money is going and you can quickly spot transactions that should not be there. If you wait too long to check your statement sometimes you cannot remember where certain charges are from and therefore might think they shouldn’t be there. Find more info here.
5. Keep your credit card in a safe place, such as your wallet and always return it to the same location. This will help ensure that you do not lose your card, or if you do you will notice very quickly that it is missing.
If you happen to lose your credit card or it is stolen, contact your credit card company (such as Mastercard) as soon as possible. They can suspend activity on the card and issue you a new one. Also call your credit card company if you notice any charges that are unfamiliar to you. They can help you track where the charge came from and whether or not it was made by you.
1. When you get a credit card in the mail you should call and activate it as soon as possible.
2. Sign the back of the card when you receive it using your regular signature.
3. Write “see ID” or “CID” next to your signature or on the front of the card to encourage retailers to ask for your identification when making purchases. While retailers are supposed to do this, many don’t so this serves as a friendly reminder to them.
4. Sign up for online banking with your credit card account and check it frequently, at least once a week. The more frequently you check the more you know where your money is going and you can quickly spot transactions that should not be there. If you wait too long to check your statement sometimes you cannot remember where certain charges are from and therefore might think they shouldn’t be there. Find more info here.
5. Keep your credit card in a safe place, such as your wallet and always return it to the same location. This will help ensure that you do not lose your card, or if you do you will notice very quickly that it is missing.
If you happen to lose your credit card or it is stolen, contact your credit card company (such as Mastercard) as soon as possible. They can suspend activity on the card and issue you a new one. Also call your credit card company if you notice any charges that are unfamiliar to you. They can help you track where the charge came from and whether or not it was made by you.