These days, just about everyone has horror stories to relate about how their identity has been stolen. It is an unfortunate byproduct of this era of instant connectivity that our technology has quickly outstripped our ability to control it. And as always, there are unscrupulous individuals that are willing to take advantage of those who are ignorant to the potential risks. So when it comes to your finances, you need to take special care to ensure that your sensitive information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. Here are a few tips to help you avoid becoming the victim of credit card fraud.
1. NEVER give out personal information by phone or email. Just because someone calls you from the institution you hold a card with, it does not mean you should give them whatever they ask for. Anyone can find enough info to get your phone number, and then call and pretend to be from the bank or credit company. So if someone calls asking for personal information (such as confirmation of your address, card number, social security number, etc.), hang up and call the number on your card to double check. Chances are that the company wasn’t trying to contact you in the first place.
2. Shred statements. It’s all too easy for someone to open your trash can and have most of the information they need to steal your identity if you simply throw away statements. So make sure to shred anything that could give away your card number or other sensitive information; include statements, receipts, old cards (cancelled, outdated, etc.) and of course, any checks sent by your creditors and linked to your account.
3. NEVER loan out your cards. This may sound pretty self-evident, but you might not think twice before handing your spouse, sibling, or child your personal card (after all, you can trust them, right?). In truth, no one will protect your personal information and finances like you, so take the extra time to DIY when it comes to credit card use, no matter how much you trust your family or friends. It’s the only way to ensure that your cards stay in your wallet and out of harm’s way.
4. Require ID. A surprising number of businesses do not ask for ID, so rather than signing the back of your card so that anyone who steals it can copy your signature, write “Ask for ID” or “ID Required” on the back strip. Any clerk who sees it in a store should ask for your identification to obtain proof that the person holding the card is actually you. Just don’t get huffy when vendors actually follow your directive!
5. Be careful online. The wild west of the worldwide web can be a dangerous place to shop, even though it is often quicker and easier to make purchases from the comfort of your own home. So if you want to enter your credit card information online, first make sure that you have a proper firewall in place to keep out hackers and spyware that can allow access to your personal files or keystrokes. Then look for the lock icon on a website that lets you know that anything you enter will be encrypted for your protection.
6. Get a credit report. Requesting a free report once a year won’t lead to any black marks on your credit and it will let you know if there’s been any fraudulent activity on your accounts.
Lean Gallin writes for Adiamor Engagement Ring, where you can find loose diamonds, engagement ring settings, and other fine diamond jewelry at affordable prices.
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