How To Keep Your Credit Cards Safe

We all have heard the warnings about keeping your credit card numbers safe by not giving them out over the phone or on Internet sites that cannot be verified as secure.  In fact, some people refuse to use their credit cards in this manner at all to help ensure that they don’t become a victim.

But just as serious as this is the fact that credit cards need to be kept safe physically as well.  Lost or stolen credit cards give the holder full access to your credit card account – including the 3 digit security number on the back of the card.  Consider that most merchants do not ask for a second or third form of identification when they are used – especially in retailers where the end buyer is able to swipe their own card.

There is a story about a sales clerk at a store who tells the customer that their credit card machine is not working then takes the card to a back room and makes a photocopy of the front and back of the card for the purpose of using the card later in a fraudulent manner.  It is important to keep your credit cards safe at all times, no matter what the circumstance.  Above all, it is important to make sure that the person who handles your credit card is in view at all times.

Make sure that when you swipe your card that you get a receipt that goes with the purchase. If you are asked to swipe your card a second time make sure that only one piece of paper was ejected from the credit card printer.  If there are two ask for both.  You should be able to determine from the two receipts if there were two transactions or just one.  If you have any questions be sure to ask management or when you get home call your credit card company immediately and ask what transactions appear on your statement.  If there is a duplicate, immediately take action to dispute the charge be sure you keep your receipts on hand to help with the justification process.

Never give your credit card to someone else to make a purchase for you even if it is a family member.  It is too easy for someone else to lose your card at which point you are the person who is inconvenienced by all of the steps necessary cancel the card and get a replacement.  If there is a situation that requires someone to make a purchase and you agree to that purchase, you need to be there to consummate the transaction.  Not doing so is a big mistake.

Avoid taking your credit cards with you unless you need them to make a purchase while you’re out.  For example when you go on vacation only take one or two credit cards at the most with which you will be making purchases during your stay.  There is no reason to take all of your credit cards with you.  Then if something does happen to your credit cards you only have to deal with the one or two that you have with you at the time.

Never leave your credit cards out in the open where someone can write down the number.  Always replace them in your purse or wallet when not in use.  Do not flash them around or show them to others.  Always replace them in your purse or wallet when not in use.  Do not flash them around or show them to others.

Using these tips can you help avoid the disastrous situations that accompany lost or stolen credit cards.  The unfortunate thing about credit cards is that they are so easy to obtain but cause a great deal of grief and headache when it comes to trying to recover from fraudulent use.

The unfortunate thing about credit cards is that they are so easy to obtain but cause a great deal of grief and headache when it comes to trying to recover from fraudulent use.

Related Posts:

• How to Keep Your Card Safe from Fraud - As we ever-increasingly use plastic for our purchases, there is an equivalent rise in the danger of someone stealing our card or...
• Keep Your Credit Cards Safe - A recent story coming out of the Chicago area has inspired me to remind everyone that reads this blog to keep your...
• Stay Safe from the Common Identity Thief - Identity theft.  It is an ongoing issue that should always be at the top of your list of financial concerns.  After all,...
• Keeping Your Credit Card Receipts Safe - I ran across an interesting question recently that was asked on the online version of the LA Times. The reader asked Liz...

This entry was posted on Friday, March 13th, 2009 at 6:56 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.