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Protecting Your CreditTitle: Protecting Your Credit Author: Jim Partridge Article:With the growth of Internet commerce, awareness of credit cardfraud has exploded. Just by following some basic practices thegood news is that you can minimize any chance of fraud happeningto you. This article provides common-sense information as wellas those safety tips that will help you protect your creditwhether shopping online or traveling. Protecting Your Credit 1. Purchase from reputable sites. 2. Check the lower left corner of your browser window for a keyicon or padlock whenever you're on a screen that sends personalinformation or credit card numbers. If the key is intact or thepadlock is closed security technology will scramble your creditcard number and personal information as its being transmitted tothe merchant. 3. Print the screen that confirms your transaction and keep itas a receipt. If you don't have a printer, save the confirmationin your computer. 4. Read carefully privacy and security statements before youbuy. 5. Never provide your credit card number via email. 6. If you suspect your card number has been mishandled, reportit to your credit card issuer right away. Other safety tips Protecting Your Credit 1. Make a photocopy of all your credit card numbers, theirexpiry dates and the phone number you call for each in case it'sstolen. Keep this list in a safe place. Don't keep it in yourwallet. Consider card registration plans provided by cardissuers who will quickly contact each one for you should yourwallet get stolen. 2. Destroy expired credit cards immediately. 3. Sign your name on new and replacement cards the moment youreceive them and be sure to activate your new credit cardaccording to the instructions provided. Keep receipts with youuntil after the transactions have appeared on your Visastatement. 4. Put old statements and receipts that may have your accountnumber on them in a shredder before throwing them out. 5. Never give your account number to a stranger calling youover the phone. Beware of anyone who says you've won a valuableprize and you need to give them your credit card number to claimit. 6. Safeguard your personal information, including your socialsecurity number, your personal identification number (PIN),mother's maiden name, your date of birth, address and telephonenumber. Merchants should never ask for your address or telephonenumber, unless they will be shipping goods to your home. 7. Do not use your credit card for personal identification. Useyour driver's license. 9. Check your monthly statement carefully and report billingerrors to your credit card issuer as soon as possible and alwayswithin 30 days of the statement date. 10. Report stolen or lost credit cards as soon as you discoverthey are missing. Protecting Your Credit
About the author:Jim Partridge is a staff writer writing forhttp://www.allcreditcarddirectory.com/. The website is dedicatedto providing a variety of free credit card options for people toconsider. You have permission to publish this articleelectronically or in print, in your Newsletter, on your website,or in your E-Book, as long as the author's Resource Box isincluded with the article. |