7 simple ways to avoid credit card money theft

1. Keep your credit cards safe.
Keep your credit cards in a purse or wallet close to your body where it can't easily be snatched away. Carry only the one or two credit and debit cards you'll be using that day. Leave all your other credit cards at home. Thieves can take pictures of your credit card with a camera or cell phone, so don't leave your credit card exposed any longer than necessary.

2. Shred anything with your credit card number on it.
Rather than toss your credit card billing statements directly into the trash, shred them to keep dumpster divers from getting their hands on your credit card number. The same thing applies to old credit cards that have expired or been cancelled. You might even put the shredded pieces in different trash bags to thwart clever thieves who can put shredded pages back together.

3. Don't sign blank credit card receipts.
To avoid credit card fraud, always verify the amount on your credit card receipt before signing it. If you get a credit card receipt that has blank spaces in it, write $0 in those spaces or draw through them before putting your signature on the card.

4. Avoid giving out your credit card information.
Only give out your credit card number or other sensitive information on calls you initiate to customer service using the number on the back of your credit card. Credit card thieves have been known to pose as credit card issuers and other businesses to trick you into giving out your credit card number.

5. Be safe with your credit card online.
Don't click on email links from anyone pretending to be your bank, credit card company, or other business who uses your personal information, even if the email looks legitimate. To be sure a website is secure, look for a lock in the lower right corner of your internet browser.

6. Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.
The sooner you report a missing credit card the less likely it is that you'll have to pay for any fraudulent charges made on your credit card. Write down your credit card companies' customer service number now so you'll have it if your credit card is ever missing.

7. Review your billing statements each month.
Unauthorized charges on your credit card are the first indicator of credit card fraud. If you notice a charge you didn't make, no matter how small, report the charge to your credit card issuer immediately.


Source: www.credit.about.com
Follow us on: www.facebook.com/KarvyWealth
www.twitter.com/KarvyWealth