How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud

With more than $198 million worth of fraudulent credit card use last year, it's no wonder we need to protect ourselves against credit card fraud. There's no way to completely avoid it, but there are definitely ways to lessen the chance of occurrence.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A credit card

1. 
   Photo courtesy of zillowblog.com

   Make sure to sign your new credit cards as soon as they come in the mail, and don't forget to cut up your old credit cards as soon as you get your new ones.

2. Never give your credit card number out over the phone (without knowing who you are talking to) or on a website that doesn't have a third party transaction privacy seal of approval.

3. Always keep a close eye on your card. For example, when you're going to be somewhere with a lot of people, keep your credit cards in a separate place from your wallet. Another tip is to watch closely as clerks run your card and make sure they aren't making a separate copy for them self - make sure to get your card back quickly.

4. A few things to know about receipts... never sign a blank receipt, cross out any space above your signature and after the price and shred all carbon copy/customer copies of receipts.

5. Never write your account number where someone might see it. Never fax your account number as it may be lying around an office for a long time before someone sees it. Never leave your card lying around. Never lend your card out.

Tips & Warnings

• 44.9% of fraudulent credit card use comes from the internet. Be very careful and totally aware of where your information is going.

Resources

• International Payment