|
Many people worry about entering their credit card details online, but the reality is that most credit
card information is still stolen in the “real world,” either by thieves that snatch your wallet, or those
who use card readers to secretly record your information.
A credit report is a report card of your financial behavior. It is an individualized record of your credit
and payment history. Banks check your credit score before they lend you any money, from credit cards, to
a mortgage or a car loan. Some employers have even started doing credit checks on potential employees.
The proliferation of online and telephone shopping makes it easier for thieves to get away with making
purchases with your card because they do not have to provide a signature as proof of identity.
But there are ways to protect yourself when using your credit cards. Here are a few tips to keep your
credit card information private and safe whether using it at a physical location or at a virtual location
online.
-
Always sign the back of your card. Signing your cards ensures that you can fight charges if the signature
on your card does not match the signature on the receipt. Technically, merchants can not accept unsigned
cards, but many do not bother to check. If a merchant forgets to compare signatures on the back of your
credit card with that on the receipt, remind him/her of its importance.
-
Do not give out your credit card number to strangers, either in person, or over the phone or Internet.
Banks and credit card companies will never ask you for your personal details by e-mail. If you receive an
email and you believe it is legitimate, do not click on the URL in the email, instead type in your bank's
web address yourself. If it is a phone call, hang up and call the bank number you have on your statements.
|
