-
Make a list
of all your card numbers,
their expiration dates and
the phone number you call
for each in case it's
stolen. Keep this list in a
safe place. Don't keep it in
your wallet. Consider a card
registration plan which will
quickly contact each issuer
for you should your wallet
get stolen.
-
Cut up
expired credit cards.
-
Sign your
name on new and replacement
cards the moment you receive
them.
-
If you have
duplicate cards, keep them
in a safe place.
-
Keep
receipts and carbons with
you until after the
transactions have appeared
on your statement.
-
Shred old
statements and any other
purchase documents or
records that may have your
account number on them
before throwing them out.
-
Never give
your account number to an
unknown person calling you
over the phone. Beware
anyone who says you've won a
valuable prize and you need
to give a credit card number
to claim it.
-
Safeguard
your personal information
including your social
security number, your
personal identification
number (PIN), your date of
birth, mother's maiden name,
address and telephone
number. Merchants, with the
exception of online or
offline mail order
companies, should never
require your address or
telephone number.
-
Do not use
credit cards for personal
identification. Use your
driver's license.
-
Do not write
your card number on any
document that is not
associated with your
account.
-
Check your
monthly statement carefully
and report billing errors in
writing to your credit
issuer as soon as possible.
-
Report lost
or stolen cards as soon as
you discover they're
missing.
-
You own your
credit card. No one,
including family members,
can use it without your
authorization. Notify the
issuer if you become
separated or divorced.
-
Be sure to
activate your card
immediately upon receipt
