5 Tips For Using Your Credit Card Safely

We read all the time about some new credit card scheme or maybe you or someone you know has been a victim of some kind of credit card scam or fraudulent act. It happens to the best of us but unfortunately many times that it happens, it can be prevented with a few proactive measures. It is ultimately up to you to make sure your information is kept confidential and protected. It is simply not enough to be able to “fix” things after they happen.You must make a commitment to keeping your financial matters secure and pay attention to what is going on with your monthly statements and your credit report. Once you have been victimized, it may be very difficult to find your way back to security.

Here are 5 security tips that will help your remain proactive and safely keep your credit card information secure:

Keep Your Eyes on The Card

Sadly, a lot of cases of credit card fraud stem from unscrupulous store clerks who victimize you in front of your very eyes. When you hand over your card to a retail store clerk or restaurant employee, make sure you get your credit card back and double-check to see that it is yours. If you are in the vicinity of the cash register and credit card machine, make sure that the clerk has only swiped it one time and that the receipt you sign is for the correct amount before approving the amount.

Destroy Incorrect Receipts

If you are checking out and the cashier hands you a receipt that is not correct, make sure you destroy the receipt or be sure the store clerk has completely voided the bad receipt. If not, you could be charged for the amount that was entered incorrectly.

Make Your Receipt Complete

Never leave a blank amount space on your credit card receipt. For instance, if you dine out and use your credit card to pay for the meal but choose to leave a cash tip, you will need to be sure that you draw a solid line through the tip space on the credit card receipt. This should be practiced at all times to ensure no one is adding additional charges on a credit card receipt you have already signed.

Return Your Card Immediately

People in a rush often tend to grab up their purchases and can either leave their credit card on the counter or even drop it on the way out of the store. Some will quickly slide the credit card into their pants or coat pocket, where it can easily fall out in the mall or parking lot. Make sure you take the extra few seconds to immediately tuck your credit card back into your wallet. If you lose your credit card from being lazy or too rushed, you will spend a lot more time repairing your mistake than it will take to straighten out the mess.

Watch What You Mail

If you ever use your credit card number to order something in the mail or mail correspondence to your credit card company, never write your credit card number or your account number on the outside of the envelope. Also never use a postcard or unsealed mailer to send in payment information to any company. You will run the risk of having anyone who has access to the mail stealing your information and you can also be at risk of having your mail left in a mailbox stolen before it even reaches the post office.

Using the utmost caution when it comes to your confidential information is always the best bet for protecting yourself and your finances.

Related Posts:

• Ten Tips for Identity Theft Prevention - Imagine to your horror opening up your monthly credit card statement only to find that your credit card purchases are double what...
• Simple Tips to Avoid Credit Card Fraud - It seems as if the stories in the news about credit card fraud continue to pop up throughout the country. I thought...
• Quick Tips for Completing Credit Card Applications Online - Using the latest technology for information and security, more credit card companies are offering the ease and convenience of applying online for...
• Tips for Avoiding Credit Card Fraud - Stories always abound regarding some poor soul who was taken advantage of when it comes to credit cards. So, I thought it...

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 31st, 2009 at 6:44 am and is filed under Card Security, Tips & Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.