Keeping Your Credit Card Safe

When it comes to protecting your credit, you can never be too cautious. For that reason, it is important to keep your credit card safe and secure. Otherwise, you run the risk of accidentally misplacing it or, worse yet, having it stolen from you. In either case, someone else may start charging up purchases on your card.

While you are only responsible for up to $50 of unauthorized purchases charged to your card (and possibly even less if your credit card has an additional protection policy in place), losing your credit card can be more devastating than racking up charges. The real concern is that someone can use the information they gain from your credit card to help them get new cards and to completely steal your identity. The result? Days, months, or maybe even years of heartache as you try to unravel the mess that was made in order to restore your good credit.

To prevent this from happening to you, take a few precautionary steps with your credit card and with your credit card bill statements:

• When closing an account or when receiving a new credit card to replace the old one, cut the card you are throwing away into several small pieces.
• Shred your credit card bill statements before throwing them in the trash – or burn them for added protection.
• Avoid carrying your credit card in your purse. Purses get lost and stolen easily. Instead, carry it in your front pocket. The front pocket is better than the back pocket because the back pocket is more susceptible to pick-pocketers
• Only use your credit card with reputable businesses, particularly when shopping on-line.

Beware of Phishing
To Pay or Not to Pay: Is it a Good Idea to Pay Your Taxes with Your Credit Card?
The Financial Dominance of the Credit Card Industry
Keeping Your Credit Card Safe
Traveling With Your Credit Card
A Look at Current Bankruptcy Laws
Fixing Mistakes on Your Credit Report
Flying With Credit Card Airline Miles
Get Stylish with Your Credit Card
Keeping Your Credit Report Clear
Modern Day Vending Machines
Using Pre-Paid Credit Cards for College Students
Making Sense of the Prime Rate
Protecting Your Credit Card Account Information
Reasons to Use a Credit Card Instead of Cash
Rising Minimum Payments: Friend or Foe?
Staying Out of Debt While Using a Credit Card
Pay Your Way Out of Debt with Your Tax Refund
Tips for Shopping Online With a Credit Card
Understanding Airline Miles Credit Cards
Understanding Cash Back Credit Cards
Understanding Prepaid Credit Cards
Understanding Rewards Credit Cards
Understanding Student Credit Cards
What to Look for in a Credit Card
What to Watch Out for in Pre-Paid Credit Cards