Credit Card Security - Protecting Yourself

Credit Card Articles

Credit Card Education

Protecting Your Credit Card Online Credit Card Security - Protecting Yourself Shopping for a Credit Card - What You Should Ask Can Your Credit Card Do This?Before You Sign - 3 Points to Consider When Shopping for a Credit Card Credit Card 101 The History of Credit Cards in the United States

Credit Card Categories

Business Travel Credit Cards Small Business Credit Cards Low Interest Credit Cards Online Credit Cards Pre-paid Cards Secured Credit Cards Special Interest Credit Cards Student Credit Cards UK Credit Cards Unsecured Credit Cards Business Reward Credit Cards Reward Credit Cards Rebate Credit Cards Travel Reward Credit Cards Gas Reward Credit Cards

Credit

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA)Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA)Consumer Credit - What does it mean?Credit Reporting Agencies Top 5 Reasons to Stay Informed About Your Credit Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA)

Debt

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)Debt, Debt Collection, and Debt Solutions Solving Debt Problems - What Are My Debt Options?

Personal Finance

Consumer Laws That Protect Consumer Rights Preventing Personal Financial Crisis Eight Easy Tips to Ensure Financial Success Identity Theft - Don't be the next victim What To Do When Identity Theft Occurs

Credit Card Security - Protecting Yourself

In spite of improved efforts by retailers and credit card companies, credit card theft and fraud is still a fast-growing crime. Do your part to protect yourself and your credit card from theft, fraud, scams, and other consumer risks whenever you use your card. Shop smarter and safer with these simple suggestions for credit card security.

Shop Safer Using These Credit Card Security Tips:

When you receive a new credit card, sign the back right away. Adding your signature to the card helps protect against fraudulent use.
Never let your cards out of your sight. Card theft can happen anywhere - even in places you wouldn't suspect - at work, in your car, at a restaurant or shop, at church, or even in your doctor's office. Keep them close at hand wherever you are.
Never keep your personal identification number (PIN) in your wallet or write it on your card. Memorize it instead. Also, be careful to choose a number that would be hard to guess or find in your wallet. Avoid numbers such as your birthdate or part of your Social Security Number.

Shop Smarter Using These Credit Card Security Tips:

Each month, carefully review your monthly credit card statement. Compare your month's purchases and sales slips to your monthly statement to make sure no fraudulent or incorrect charges have been made.
Immediately notify your credit card company of any errors or unknown charges.
Use extra caution when doing business by mail or phone. Not all mail and phone solicitations are legitimate, so only give out your account number to businesses you know you can trust. Be especially wary of any offers that sound too good to be true - they probably are!

Just in case:

Immediately report a lost or stolen card to your credit card company. Credit card thieves usually use stolen cards within a few days.
As a further precaution, contact the credit bureaus to have a "fraud alert" placed on your file. This way any future credit applications will have to be confirmed by you over the phone, protecting you from any additional charge accounts from being opened in your name. (Contact: Equifax, 800-685-1111, Trans Union, 800-888-4213, Experion, 888-397-3742).
Create an inventory list of all your credit cards, their numbers, and the emergency contact phone numbers and store your list in a safe place. If your card is ever lost or stolen, you'll have the necessary information readily available.

Related Article: Protecting Your Credit Card Online >>

Best Visa Chase Platinum Visa® Card

0% Intro APR for up to 12 months
The time period for the introductory APR and the balances to which it will apply will be based on our review of your application and credit history
No Annual Fee
FREE Online Account Access
FREE travel services including Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver and Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance

Best MasterCard Citi® Platinum Select® Card

0% APR* on balance transfers and purchases for up to 12 months
No annual fee
Citi Identity Theft Solutions
$0 Liability on unauthorized purchases
Secure, free online account management

Best American Express Blue from American Express®

Membership Rewards Express^SM program
0% APR on purchases for up to 15 months
No Annual Fee
Low Balance Transfer APR - 4.99% Fixed APR for the life of the balance.
Blue is your launch pad to stand out shopping and entertainment rewards and one-of-a-kind experiences.
Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.

Best Discover Chase Freedom(SM) Credit Card

Receive $50 after you make your first purchase
3% Cash Back in your top 3 everyday spending categories
1% cash back for every $1 you spend on all other purchases
Receive an extra $50 each time you save and redeem $200 in rewards

Search By Type

Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Advanta Chase Pulaski US Bank

Search By Category

Low Interest Credit Cards Reward Credit Cards Student Credit Cards Rebate Credit Cards Travel Reward Credit Cards Small Business Credit Cards Gas Credit Cards Business Reward Credit Cards Business Travel Credit Cards Pre-paid Credit Cards Balance Transfers Secured Credit Cards No Annual Fee Credit Cards

Credit Resources

Credit Card Articles Credit Card Glossary Credit Card Comparisons